Kaduna State dey witness serious controversy after di local government elections wey hold on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Di Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman for Kaduna State, Edward Masha, don allege say there be gross irregularities during di election.
According to Masha, di Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) no provide crucial materials like ward and local government result sheets. Him say dis omission compromise di integrity of di elections, and PDP representatives stand against di impunity.
Masha accuse di ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of killing democracy and undermining di electoral process. “APC don appoint their chairmanship candidates for di poll, knowing fully well say local government elections be di bedrock of democracy. But today, dem say no. We will appoint chairmen for us like sole administrators by di government,” him add.
Di PDP chairman stress say dem will challenge di process in court and continue to seek justice for di people. “We will not accept dis charade. We will not accept di killing of democracy. We will challenge dis process in court, and we will continue to seek justice for our people,” Masha say.
Other irregularities observed during di elections include di use of polling unit result sheets from 2021 instead of new ones, and di lack of transparency in di distribution of materials. Masha say, “Kaduna State Government assure us say all electoral materials, including result sheets, would be provided, but di reverse be true. Dis be a deliberate attempt to undermine di democratic process.”
Di situation during di elections also include low turnout, absence of electoral officials, and unrest at various polling units. Reports from Zaria and other areas show say voters and party agents were frustrated by di absence of SIECOM officials and di lack of electoral materials.
