Jigawa State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the governorship and other elections held in the state.
It lamented that the elections were allegedly marred by widespread irregularities, intimidation and other infractions.
The party made it’s position known in a Communique issued after a stakeholders meeting signed by a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Aminu Abdullahi.
According to the stakeholders, the election was the most challenging for the party in the history of the state as it was dominated by irregularities.
The Communique reads this: “Violence, ballot box destruction, intentional shortage of electoral materials, over voting, intimidation, inaction of security agencies, changing of results and unprecedented vote buying which violate the Electoral Act. These are things that are alien to our political culture.
“We have received reports across all Local Governments of the state which are quite disturbing. It is unfortunate that the once peaceful and prosperous Jigawa State has been turned to an arena of violence and cheating for the desperation and greed for power.
“All these actions are been instigated by people who claim to be leaders that have benefitted from free, fair and credible elections in the past. It is unfortunate that INEC and other relevant authorities could not address many of our concerns before, during and after the elections.
“For these reasons, we are studying the election outcome critically with all stakeholders to decide on the next line of action. All lovers of the state must join hands to see that we address the current evils for the sake of our future”.
The stakeholders therefore informed that, based on preliminary evidence, they totally reject the outcome of the elections in it’s entirety.
They said, “Consequently, we are making wider consultations on the next line of action which is in the best interest of Jigawa State. If we allow this charade to go unchallenged, we find ourselves in a situation where elections will become meaningless because some people are too powerful to be contested against.
“We are worried with INEC decision to declare State Assembly election results and winners in places where APC won even if fraudulently, but decided to declare elections inconclusive in local governments where PDP had clear victory.
“This include Dutse, Birnin kudu and Gwaram constituencies among others. We condemn this decision and call on the commission to review its position”.
According to the stakeholders, PDP agents and party faithfuls have been arrested before, during and after the elections for no reason other than just identifying with the paty while APC chieftains who openly instigated violence are working freely without questioning.
They therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to call the Jigawa State Police Command to order and release all the arrested PDP supporters immediately.
They also called on Jigawa State government to stop harassing and intimidating her citizens because of political differences preventing them to exercise their right of voting for their choices.
The Communique described as unfortunate, the dragging of traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants and community elders into partisan politics by the state government in order to win election.
It added, “We want to encourage our supporters and other well-meaning citizens of the state, to remain calm and peaceful. Nobody should break the law for whatever reason. We assure them that we shall do all that is within our power to make sure we resist and challenge this injustice.
“Our vision for a united and prosperous Jigawa State may have been delayed temporarily, but the struggle shall continue until we reach our destination Insha Allah”.
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