PDP Rejects Jigawa Governorship, State House Of Assembly elections results

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the just concluded Governorship and state house of assembly election s one of the most challenging elections in the history Jigawa state.

The Director of PDP strategy who is also the former Jigawa state secretary to the state government, Dr Aminu Abdullahi Taura stated this during a press briefing with newsmen on behalf of the state PDP stakeholders.

He further explained that, for the first time, polls in Jigawa state have been dominated by several irregularities.

He said the irregularities include violence, ballot box destruction, intentional shortage of electoral materials, over voting, intimidation, inaction of security agencies, changing of results and unprecedented vote buying which violate the electoral act.

According to him, they have received reports across all the twenty seven local governments of the state which are quite disturbing.

Dr Abdullahi Adamu pointed out that, it is unfortunate that the once peaceful and prosperous Jigawa State has been turned to an arena of violence and cheating for the desperation and greed for power.

He noted that, all these actions are been instigated by people who claim to be leaders that have benefitted from free, fair and credible elections in the past.

He said, it is unfortunate that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and other relevant authorities could not address many of our concerns before, during and after the elections.

“For these reasons, we are studying the election outcome critically with all stakeholders to decide on the next line of action. All lovers of the state must join hands to see that we address the current evils for the sake of our future”.

Dr Adamu added that, for the meantime, based on preliminary evidence, the PDP totally reject the outcome of the elections entirely.

He said, they are making wider consultations on the next line of action which is in the best interest of Jigawa State.

” If we allow this charade to go unchallenged, we find ourselves in a situation where elections will become meaningless because some people are too powerful to be contested against”.

“We are worried with INEC decision to declare State Assembly election results and winners in places where APC won even if fraudulently, but decided to declare elections inconclusive in local governments where PDP had clear victory”.

The Director said, this include Dutse, Birnin kudu and Gwaram constituencies among others.

He said the party condemned the decision and call on INEC to review its position.

He further explained that, their agents and party faithful have been arrested before, during and after the elections for no reason other than just identifying with the PDP while APC chieftains who openly instigated violence are working freely without questioning.

Dr Adamu therefore called on the Inspector General of Police to call the Jigawa State Police Command to order in this regard, calling on the release of all their supporters immediately.

The PDP stakeholders also called on the Jigawa state government to stop harassing and intimidating her own people because of their decision to exercise their free right of voting for their choices.

While commenting on leaders across the state, the Director noted that, the dragging of traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants and community elders into partisan politics all in the aim of winning elections is most unfortunate.

He urged the PDP supporters and other well-meaning citizens of the state, to remain calm and peaceful.

“Nobody should break the law for whatever reason. We assure them that we shall do all that is within our power to make sure we resist and challenge this injustice. Our vision for a united and prosperous Jigawa State may have been delayed temporarily, but the struggle shall continue until we reach our destination Insha Allah.”