By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The main opposition party in Kebbi state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday announced their withdrawal from the forthcoming local councils polls slated for August 30, 2024 in the state.
State chairman of the party, Usman Bello Suru, in a statement in Birnin Kebbi alleged that members of the state electoral body KESIEC are card-carrying members of the ruling APC therefore the results of the polls will not be devoid of fairness and justice to other opposition parties in the state.
The statement further adds that the administrative charges adopted by the state electoral body is unaffordable by willing parties as such the party see that as an attempt to disenfranchise the main opposition and other political parties who indicated interest to participate in the forthcoming elections.
“We have decided to withdraw from the election for the above reasons and many more”.
Suru explained that the body also suddenly shifted the payment of administrative charges from August 30 to August 7, 2024 which the party views as attempt to discourage opposition parties from participating in the elections.”
“Accepting to participate in the elections means approving illegality and stage-managed elections that would not be free, fair and credible elections which stem from the composition of the electoral body who are APC members.”.
He urged their followers to remain calm and law-abiding as they monitor developments and hopes the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will takeover elections of local governments.