Since the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) announced the October 2021 date for the conduct of Local Government Council elections, political activities have picked up with the various political parties putting in place machinery for their full participation, LUCY CHINDABA writes.
ALREADY the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some others have started the process by conducting ward congresses and party primaries for candidates for the chairmanship and councilorship positions across the 17 Local Government Areas that make up the state.
While preparations seem to be in top gear for the Local Government elections which will hold throughout the 17 Local Government Councils of the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is the main opposition party in the state has however suffered a setback. This is due to a recent court ruling which means the party will not be participating in the October 9, 2021 council elections.
Reports in the media quotes the Chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Hon. Fabian Ntung Ari, as saying that, 7 other political parties will be participating in the said election across the state. He also said that the commission is set to carry out the assignment and assured that it will be done in an honest and transparent manner.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD spoke to a cross section of citizens who barred their minds on what they expect come October 9, 2021 as electorate, candidates and their supporters as well as the electoral umpire, PLASIEC.
Hon Theresa Azi is a politician of repute and has held several political offices and appointments and responded thus:
With the Local Government election just by the corner, even though the major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not be participating based on a court judgement which is quite unfortunate, but there are other parties that are going to participate, like the SDP. I believe that it is going to be free and fair. And I am expecting our party, the ruling party. APC will emerge. I hope and pray that the electorate and party stalwarts will exhibit high moral behavior during and after the elections.
On her part, Professor Patricia Lar, a lecturer with the University of Jos and activist had this to say:
For the Saturday Local Government Council elections, my expectations are: for the contestants, it should not be a do or die issue, affair. The same also applies to the electorate. Let’s make sure that our votes count. People should watch out until the results are counted.
To the electoral umpire- PLASIEC, I expect fairness, justice and equity. Let them fear God and allow the will of the people to prevail.
Musa C. Agabus, a retired civil servant responded thus: Local Government elections are always serious any day they are held in a state. Particularly here on the Plateau, we have had cause not to hold local elections in some local governments since 2008 when such election sparked off violence in Jos North when results were yet to be collated.
That taught the state government and PLASIEC a huge lesson not to take things for granted. If the crises are any indication that the umpire should be circumspect, this is time to get things right.
The umpire has a responsibility to get things right, even when the major opposition PDP is out of contention as a result of a court case. It is hoped that justice will be given to candidates other than the APC which is controlling the state. Whoever wins squarely should be pronounced winner.
A respondent who wants to remain anonymous says: I expect the electoral umpire to be fair and just to all manner of political parties. They should adopt the electronic pattern of voting just like Kaduna State did in its local government elections recently.
On his part, another anonymous respondent said: My expectation is, let the election be free of any intimidation or violations of any electoral laws. Also, electoral materials should be made available at the various polling units on time.
Madam Frankie is a civil servant and responded as follows: The Local Government elections are the elections that are closer to the people at the grassroot, as such it is a very important one and should be given the seriousness it deserves.
There is high expectation particularly as it is to be done alone, not like that of governorship or presidential that is done along with other offices. Our expectation therefore is that at the end of the exercise the right thing should be done and those who emerge by popular votes, scoring the highest should be announced. We should avoid the mistakes of the past where those who were announced were not those who got votes. Our expectation also is that it should be peaceful, free and fair. That the people so elected will not come and act like the ones in office before them but they will actually work and put smiles on the faces of the people they have come to serve. They should bring the dividends of democracy closer to the people at the grassroot.
On the whole, it is evident that the people are eagerly waiting for the conduct of the local government elections. And the electoral umpire has a duty to citizens to do the needful and ensure a free, fair and credible elections come October 9, 2021.
The electorate on their part should come out enmasse to exercise their constitutional right, mandate of voting for candidates of their choice and not allow politicians, hoodlums, to hijack the process as was the case in the past.
