The Future of Plateau State: Hope or Hype?

KARKARA REPORTS

As the Local Government (LG) elections approach in Plateau State, monitoring reactions on Various online platforms, sawabiya observed that citizens are filled with hope and expectation for a transparent and fair process.

Despite the state being ruled by the PDP and the Federal Government by the APC, residents are eager to exercise their right to vote for their preferred candidates in affirmation of their strong believe in the Government of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang Administration's principle of upholding justice and fairness.

It is also observed that the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local government councils has sparked a flurry of activity, with many states rushing to hold council polls. For instance, Adamawa, Delta, and Bauchi states, amongst others where the PDP has won all available seats, raising concerns about the conduct of these elections.

In Plateau State, plateau Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has announced that all political party primaries should hold between 29th July to 8th August, 2024.This is as the forthcoming LG elections draws near, 09th October, 2024.

The major political parties have reportedly completed their primaries Across 17 LGA of the state, on the side of PDP, the State Chairman, Chris Hassan, praised recent local government primaries as the most successful and widely participatory in recent times, with free and fair contests, "no imposition, and an established Appeal Committee to address grievances. The party has also notified INEC of postponed wards and local government congresses in Qua'an Pan and Shendam local governments due to conflicting electoral schedules" according to him.

Even though there are some posts such as "

APC won all the 17 LGs Chairmanship unopposed 2021, If PDP ????sweeps all the 17 LGs 2024 don't say Why 

E Get Why 
????????????????" Obadiah Simon Dashuwei on plateau politics, "to Even during Gov. Jang. Thank God Gov. Mutfwang is a Man of God. He won't follow the same pattern." By Gunat Mande Tongdol amongst others, yet Cizens expectations are hoping for transparent and fair electoral processh, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to remain impartial and announce accurate results, the state government to refrain from using machinery to influence the outcome, a  level playing field for all candidates, though believing in the creation of a National Independent Local Government Electoral Commission to promote transparency

APC has also conducted primaries.

Following the local government autonomy granted by the Supreme Court, coupled with the move by the National Assembly to transfer the conduct of the local government elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), some States have hurriedly fixed between September and October 2024 for the conduct of the said polls.t

Reports all over has had that the concerned States where the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC- and Peoples' Democratic Party PDP controlled States, including Kogi, Plateau, Imo and Ogun States, have fixed their local government elections and will conduct the local council elections in the next two to three months.

For instance, Imo State will hold its local council election on the 21st of September; Plateau and Kogi States have fixed October 9th and 19th, 2024 respectively for their local government elections, while Ogun State has fixed 26th October as the day of its local council election.

Although there was a counter-claim to that effect, the information gathered in the State Government House shows that the State Council election cannot be extended more than November 2024.

It is also noted that not everyone agrees that a new electoral body is the solution. The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has rejected the proposed bill for a Local Government Independent Electoral Commission, calling it "unacceptable and unnecessary". According to IPAC, creating another commission will lead to duplication of functions and waste of public funds.

"Creating another commission will not address the challenges faced in conducting local government elections," IPAC said in a statement. "Instead, it will lead to unnecessary duplication of efforts and resources. The proposed commission will still rely on INEC's voter register, IREV, BVAS, ballot boxes, and other resources to conduct a successful election."

IPAC argues that the focus should be on building the capacity of INEC to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections at the local level, rather than creating a new commission.

As the people of Plateau State prepare to go to the polls, they remain hopeful for a positive change. They expect their voices to be heard and their votes to count. But will the creation of a new electoral body ensure transparency and fairness, or will it be another tool for political manipulation? Only time will tell.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates from Sawabiya News. Follow us on sawabiyanews.com.ng

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrcyNXHy/

https://chat.whatsapp.com/0Cuzi23FBpc2e5q1rI0TVP

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/UnUHNwCr6SLPXaNi/?mibextid=oFDknk