With less than 72 hours to the conduct of the postponed Presidential
and National Assembly elections in Nigeria by the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), probable fears of bloody elections in
Langtang North/South Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State,
have been raised by concerned citizens.
Speaking in a World Press Conference yesterday, the Vice Zonal
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State, Hon.
Simon Domle, told newsmen that, if the botched elections slated for 16th
February, 2019, had held, there would have been reports of killings,
maimings, voter harassments and a complete disruption of the
electioneering exercise in the Southern Zone of the state, especially in
Langtang South where he dwells.
The Vice Chairman alleged that, he personally witnessed strange
people mostly thugs in Langtang South, who were logged in a particular
house(s) and likely preparing to perpetrate these alleged mayhem.
According to him, his efforts paid off to stopping the unexpected,
when he reported his discovery to the securities, who took steps to
uncover the hide outs, that later sent the thugs packing.
According to Hon. Domle, the thugs were officially assisted to escape
from the security with the aid of Hilux vans by alleged officials of
the Local Government Council (LGC) being manned by members of the All
Progressive Congress (APC) before the security operatives could locate
their hide outs.
The Vice Chairman said, “The security however, came back to acknowledged my report”.
Supporting his narrative, the candidate of the PDP for the Southern
Senatorial Election, Barr Peter Dandam, who called in during the press
conference, while pleading and advising that elections must not be a
do-or-die affair, told journalists that Langtang North/South LGAs, had
witnessed the influx of thugs before the botched election of 16th February, 2019.
Barr Peter, however, pointed accusing fingers at the APC and its
incumbent administration in the state, as he called on governments at
all level to uphold their constitutional responsibilities of providing
security for live and property, especially in Langtang North/South LGAs.
Adding that, “We the people of Langtang (Taroh) are peaceful people and so we deserve peaceful elections”.
On her part, member of the National Assembly representing Langtang
South/Langtang North Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Hon Beni
Lar, cried out that her constituency is under siege of political thugs
ahead of the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections
holding on Saturday.
Beni Lar, a three-time House of Representatives member, who is also
seeking re-election on the platform of the PDP, pleaded with the federal
and state governments to deploy adequate security to her constituency,
so as to, save her people from attacks.
The lawmaker alleged that the thugs were sent by the ruling APC to
intimidate the people and forcefully take over her constituency or
create an atmosphere that could lead to inconclusive election.
She also alleged that the hoodlums were spotted in various communities on the eve of the botched 16th February poll, and that they disappeared after the poll was postponed.
She insisted that Langtang South/Langtang North have been a
traditional stronghold of the PDP since the days of her late father and
former governor of the state, Solomon Lar and therefore wondered why
anyone would send miscreants to invade her community in the name of
elections
Lar said, “We are no longere safe in Langtang North/Langtang South
federal constituency because strange thugs have been imported into my
constituency.
“We are also hearing that members of the Civil Defence and other
security operatives within the constituency have been evacuated to other
locations to enable the miscreants operate freely and execute their
plans to deliver my constituency to the APC without hindrance.
“I want to say that we don’t want any violence in the constituency
during the poll. This is why I’m calling on the federal and state
governments to act quickly and provide security to my people and allow
them to freely chose their representatives and leaders.
“Election should not be a do-or-die and we will not allow any thugs
to intimidate us into doing something against the wishes of our people.”
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