Nasarawa LG election: Confusion as PDP plans to boycott re-run election in Obi LGA

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will boycott the re-run local government election in Obi local government area of Nasarawa state.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lafia, the PDP Elders Forum from Obi local government area declared that the party will not take part in the re-run election, calling on PDP supporters in the area to stay away from the poll.

In a statement signed by Mark Ogbole and William Osibi Jatau, Chairman and Secretary respectively, the forum said it was surprised to learn that the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC), is conducting the re-run election for the chairmanship position in Obi, claiming that already the returning officer in the recently concluded councils poll, had declared the PDP candidate, Gimba David Chamma as winner.

The PDP maintained that with the resolution of the state House of Assembly ordering for the sack of the officials of NASIEC, “the Commission seized to exist and therefore has lost powers to propose and conduct any election in the state.”

While responding to questions from journalists, Jatau, who spoke on behalf of the forum, threatened that the PDP supporters in Obi will disrupt the conduct of the re-run election and will deny NASIEC officials access to the area.

“We hereby call on the Executive Governor of the state to make haste to swear in the victorious PDP chairmanship candidate for Obi to pave way for peace, harmony and development”, the statement reads in part.

At the press briefing was the Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Elisha Agwadu, the National Vice Chairman, PDP North Central, Yusuf Ayitogo, while the Seanotor representing the zone, Sen Suleiman Adokwe sent in his goodwill.

Reacting to the alleged threat by the forum to disrupt the conduct of the re-run election in Obi, the Nasarawa Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), ASP Numan Isma’il, said the police has the responsibility to protect life and property.

Equally teacting tomthe threat, Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Idris, said it was wrong for any person to attempt to interfere with the activities of NASIEC.