APC Rejects Plateau Local Government Election Results, Give Reasons and Plans Legal Action
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has dismissed the results of the local government elections held on Wednesday, labeling the process as flawed and announcing its intention to pursue legal action.
During a press conference on Saturday at the party’s secretariat in Jos, APC chairman Rufus Bature expressed the party’s strong opposition to the election outcome. He criticized the elections as “rigged” and the worst in the state’s political history.
Bature highlighted serious concerns regarding the distribution of electoral materials, stating that ballot papers were severely insufficient, particularly in areas viewed as APC strongholds, where only 10% to 20% of the needed materials were provided. He noted that some polling units did not receive any result sheets at all, raising questions about the conduct of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).
“The supply of malfunctioning voting machines, which typically lasted no more than two hours, further exacerbated the situation,” Bature said. He accused the electoral body of deliberately disenfranchising voters and manipulating the process, including reports of ballot stuffing in areas dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite these alleged irregularities, Bature maintained that voters expressed their preferences for the candidates of their choice. He condemned PLASIEC officials for leaving their posts without completing the results collation as required by law.
In closing, Bature urged party supporters to remain calm and assured them that the APC would take all necessary steps to reclaim its mandates.
