In a significant development in the Kuru A ward of Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), a conflict has emerged during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship primary election. Mr. Iliya Pwol Kadu, the chairman of the three-man committee responsible for overseeing the election, has filed a formal complaint with the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, alleging serious misconduct and threats to his life.
According to Mr. Kadu’s complaint, he was subjected to assault, abduction, and harassment by a group of individuals after he refused to manipulate the election results in their favor. The complaint specifically names Hon. Gwottson Fom, Mr. Francis Kuwa Gimba, Mr. Mafeng Gyang, and Bulus Pam as being involved in the conspiracy to violate the electoral process.
The complaint details that after the conclusion of the PDP councillorship primary election in Kuru A ward, a crowd allegedly attacked Mr. Kadu while he was compiling the results. The situation escalated when a group of four men allegedly abducted him, inflicted serious bodily harm, and threatened to kill him unless he agreed to alter the election results to favor their preferred candidate.
The complaint further alleges that Mr. Kadu was taken to the residence of Hon. Gwottson Fom, who reportedly threatened his life and coerced him into falsifying the election results. Mr. Kadu claims that he was forced to alter the results under duress, after which he was given a sum of N800,000 as a bribe.
Following the incident, Mr. Kadu reported the matter to the Vom Divisional Police Station on August 14, 2024. However, he expressed concern that no action has been taken against the individuals involved, prompting him to escalate the matter to the state police command.
The case has sparked controversy and drawn attention to the integrity of the electoral process within the PDP. The Plateau State Police Command is now investigating the allegations, with Mr. Kadu calling for urgent intervention to ensure his safety and the safety of his family.
The PDP and the individuals accused in the complaint have yet to issue any public statements regarding the incident.
Recall that in a similar situation in 2020, the PDP in Plateau state were enmeshed in a leadership crisis which crystallized into a legal suit before the Plateau State High Court. It later resulted to the massive seat lost of mandates and nullification of elections of members elected on the platform of the PDP, on the ground that PDP could not have validly nominated nor sponsored any candidate in Plateau state.
Read the recent petition below:
