From VICTOR GAI, Jalingo
Election for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency election was marred by a visibly low voter turnout even as people go about their normal activities.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD was at various polling units in Jalingo LGA and observed that as at 8 am when voting was supposed to begin, most of the polling units were empty with only ad-hoc staff around waiting for prospective voters.
The front line contenders are former federal lawmaker- Aminu Malle of the APC, a Jalingo Prince- Sadiq Tafida of the PDP, Innocent Patrick of the SDP, Almajiri Leonard of the APGA and Aminu Liman of the NNPP.
But in a new twist, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), endorsed the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sadiq Tafida, against their earlier choice, Innocent Patrick of the SDP. It was learnt that the governor, Agbu Kefas, prevailed on the SDP candidate to drop for his candidate.
The association in a statement on Saturday, signed by CAN Secretary, Bishop Manasseh Silas Rifore, said: “Following the emergency meeting held by the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Taraba State Chapter today 03/2/2024 at CAN Secretariat Jalingo, it was resolved that the Christian community should support and vote for PDP candidate not the SDP candidate as earlier announced.
“We therefore, apologise for any inconveniences this sudden change might have caused you.
“The decision is for the interest of the Christian community and Taraba at large.
“The SDP candidate is fully aware of the development and has supported the decision in good faith”.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Jalingo LGA, Aminu Hassan, described the election as successful. Speaking with journalists after casting his vote at his polling unit, Hassan said: “It is not yet time to judge whether the election is okay or not. But I have the full confidence that our people will come out and voting will be done accordingly. I want to believe that Taraba is PDP and I have the full confidence that PDP will clinch the ticket of Jalingo/Yorro/Zing”.
