Bauchi LG Polls: SDP Threatens to Boycott Election
By Abubakar Hardawa
The Social Democratic Party SDP in Bauchi State has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to scrap all State Independent Electoral Commissions and make a neutral body like INEC to conduct local councils’ elections.
The Party has also threaten to boycott the forthcoming local government election slated for 17th August, 2024 in the state because of what its described as irregularities, Kangaroo and discredited planned election.
The SDP State Secretary, Comrade Nasir Dan-Bauchi who made the call during a news briefing at the NUJ Secretariat said the call became imperative for the growth of democracy especially at the local government levels.
Comrade Nasir Dan-Bauchi claimed that the State Independent Electoral Commission has sealed plans to alienate some political parties from participating in the electoral process so that the state government will use puppets they imposed to deepen their heinous plunder of local government funds.
” … we sense that the so-called election will be more of a charade, because of all intent purpose the state Independent Electoral Commission.. …. will execute the bidding of the the state government……” Dan-Bauchi lamented.
Comrade Nasir Dan-Bauchi explained that the Commission has failed to provide issuance of notice of the councils’ election to all registered political parties and public which is contrary to the provisions of the state Electoral Law 2008.
He alleged that the Commission collected money from contestants as administration charges for job which the staff are paid to do with tax payers’ money.
“….this is an outright extortion! Its aimed at frustrating and dissuading people from contesting or taking part in the election…..” He said.
The State SDP Secretary called for the stoppage of the election and restart so that there will be justice, fairness, equity and a level playing ground for all parties in the process.
“…. Also our findings have revealed that some selected political parties some of which may perhaps participate in this very election may have been induced to partake in the contest to give the process as assumed credibility they needed….” The SDP Secretary claimed.
According to Comrade Nasir Dan-Bauchi, unless the Commission obeys the law establishing it, the basic guidelines for the purported 2024 local government elections and the provision of the 1999 constitution as amended, the entire process will be considered discredited.
