The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Plateau State Hon. Damishi T. Sango has called on the federal government and the international communities to hold the plateau state Residence Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Halilu Pai, responsible for any possible Electoral Violence in the state.
Sango said the hight of tension mounted in the state due to the delay by the Commissioner to release pending results of the National Assembly elections in her possession four days after the elections were conducted is a source of concern.
Damishi Sango who made these observations while briefing news men on issues relating to the just concluded National Assembly elections in the state, says “it has come imperative to address you today on the political happenings in Plateau following the conduct of the general elections on Saturday, February 23rd, 2019.
‘We acknowledge that the elections were relatively peaceful.There was also an enthusiastic turn out of the people to vote despite the earlier inexcusable postponement by INEC which had brought untold anguish and disappointment on the electorate.
“Plateau people clearly spoke their minds by vesting their trust in PDP through overwhelmingly voting for the party .
“Their votes gave PDP unassailable victory across the state.
‘We salute our supporters for their commitment and resilience in seeking to chart a new course for a united, secure and prosperous Plateau
“However, we are saddened to note that four days after the conduct of the elections, INEC is yet to turn in the final results and declare the winners.
‘The situation cuts across the three senatorial zones of the state.
“In the Southern Zone, INEC declared the election inconclusive after cancelling the results of some units in Qua’an Pan and Wase LGAs.
There was clear pressure on the Returning Officer to declare the result in favour of APC .
“In the Central Zone, JNEC again declared the election inconclusive. As a matter of fact, INEC and stakeholders alongside agents of the parties entered into a formal agreement for a re-run to be conducted in some units in Kanam.
‘But very surprisingly, INEC summoned the Returning Officers under heavy military intimidation and ordered them to announce the result of the election in favour of APC.
‘In the Northern Zone, we received reports from INEC officers on ground and our agents that PDP had roundly won the election.
‘INEC then picked Tudun Wada-Kabong ward, a stronghold of the PDP in Jos North LGA and has withheld the results of all the 65 units with a total voter population of about 92 thousand people!
“The commission therefore instructed the Returning Officers not to announce the results.
“It is therefore evident that the wholesome cancellation of units across the state was deliberately targeted at disenfranchising the people and weakening PDP bases.
“It is glaring then to everyone that the Resident Electoral Commissioner ((REC), Alhaji. Husseini Halilu Pai had compromised his position as an umpire.
“Consequently, he has set the whole of Plateau on tension which is a recipe for monumental crisis
The PDP and its stakeholders have been working tirelessly to calm frayed nerves.But this cannot go on for too long.
“We are therefore alerting the nation and the world to hold the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Husseini Halilu Pai responsible for any breakdown of law and order.
“We can only appeal to him to douse this rising tension by immediately releasing the results
“We know from where the pressure is coming. Governor Lalong is the source.
‘The governor has been blackmailed by some elements in the state who want him to give them certain elective positions in exchange for their support for his re-election.
“Lalong wants a second tenure at the expense of the blood and peace of Plateau.
“Plateau people will accept nothing less than justice.
“À stitch in time should save nine”
