The Bauchi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared its intention to withdraw from forthcoming Local Government Council elections in the state.
The party expressed concerns regarding the integrity of the elections.
Naija News reports that SDP’s withdrawal comes just a week into the Local Government Council elections in the state.
The party has also called for the dissolution of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC).
During a press conference held in Bauchi on Friday, party members articulated their position on the forthcoming council elections.
The State Secretary of the Party, Comrade Nasir DanBauchi, accused BASIEC of being poised to carry out the directives of the Bauchi State government, thereby facilitating a flawed and illegitimate election.
“We sensed that the so-called election will be more of a charade, than an election, because in all intent, and purpose, the State Independent Electoral Commission, (BASIEC), the agency with the statutory responsibility of conducting the election, will execute the bidding of the Bauchi State government to conduct a kangaroo and a discredited election.
“SDP can confirm very authoritatively that the State Independent Electoral Commission, from day one, has sealed plans to alienate some political parties from participating in the electoral process and has already perfected the aforesaid plans,” DanBauchi said.
He further claimed that the approach entails sidelining or excluding perceived formidable opposition parties to validate the process, thereby allowing the government to appoint favoured candidates as Chairmen and Councilors for the Local Government Councils.
The politician said: “This scheme is clearly designed to allow the government to use these imposed puppets to further their corrupt exploitation of Local Government funds, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“This is not only unconstitutional and immoral but also an open invitation to lawlessness and impunity, which must be opposed by everyone.”
He pointed out that “Section 18 of the State Electoral Law 2008 clearly states: ‘The conduct of elections in local government councils in the state shall be under the direction, organization, and supervision of the Commission and in accordance with the provisions of this Law, Regulations, Guidelines, rules and Manuals issued or made by the Commission.”
DanBauchi stated that BASIEC’s approach to the upcoming Local Government elections has blatantly violated the State Electoral Law and its guidelines.
“For example, in the August 2024 Schedule of Activities for the election, which the SDP reviewed, BASIEC had scheduled the ‘issuance of Notice of Local Government Council Election to Political Parties and the general public’ for June 7, 2024.
“However, as of this moment, BASIEC has not issued our party, the SDP, any notice or related documents concerning this planned election, aside from the election timetable. Our attempts to obtain the necessary documents from BASIEC have been unsuccessful.
“Also, our findings revealed that some selected political parties of which may perhaps participate in this very election may have been induced to partake in the contest to give the process an assumed credibility they needed,” He noted.
The party insisted that the Commission should immediately suspend the election process and initiate a restart to ensure justice, fairness, equity, and an equal opportunity for all participants, free from any obstacles.
Furthermore, it was requested that all nomination forms be made available for a fee not exceeding ₦100,000.
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