PDP Faults Kano LG Polls, Says Process Undemocratic
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Kano State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says it refused to participate in the just-concluded local government elections in the state because the process was “undemocratic.”
According to the party,the procedures that governed the elections were intended “to truncate democracy.”
The newly-elected Chairman of the party, Alhaji Yusuf Ado Kibiya, stated this while addressing a media briefing at the NUJ press centre,Kano,on Monday.
Kibiya cited the payment of nomination form fees of N10 million for chairmanship slot and N5 million for councillorship position as among the several prohibitive conditions introduced by the State Independent Electoral Commission(KANSIEC) ahead of the elections.
Recall that the ruling NNPP in the state won all the 44 chairmanship positions and all the 484 councillorship seats contested for in the local government elections which were conducted last Saturday.
The NNPP contested alongside five other parties – AA, AAC, ACCORD, ADC and APM.
Given the undemocratic conditions,the chairman said,it would have amounted to a waste of time for the party to partake in the polls.
On the vision of the party’s new leadership for the state,the chairman said the party would articulate a ten-year Development Programme to address the needs and aspirations of the people of the state.
To put together the programme,he said,the party would engage professionals from various fields in particular,and the entire people of the state in general.
“This plan will be a crucial part of our party’s development programme, and every aspiring candidate for governorship and all other aspiring candidates must commit to its implementation after being elected.
“I invite all citizens,party members and non-party members alike, to join us in this notable crusade. Together we can build a brighter future for our state.
“Your ideas, participation, and advocacy are essential as we strive for excellence and true service to our people. Let us work hand-in-hand to create a government that is responsive, transparent, and accountable.
“The time for change is now, and together we will succeed. Success can only be achieved if we work together and re-enforce one another,” Kibiya added.
