The Plateau State Government has berated the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its protest of the recent local government election in the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Yakubu Dati told newsmen in Lagos at the weekend that the election was adjudged free and fair by all the stakeholders and the civil society groups that monitored the exercise.
He said it was inconceivable why the opposition party should protest a transparent election which attracted the citizens of the state who came out en masse to cast their votes.
It would be recalled that state Governor, Solomon Lalong had inaugurated the chairmen of the state’s 11 local government councils who were declared winners of the elections conducted in 13 LGAs at the State Government House in Jos.
He said rather than resort to protest, the opposition should make use of the legal avenues to vent their grievances.
Dati said, “I know that genuine people who are democrats, who know that in every contest there must be a winner and a loser, will take advantage of the tribunal set up by the government, which is an independent arm of government, to present their grievances and it will be looked at.
“Resorting to self-help does not help. You also know that the elections were conducted peacefully all over the state. But of course, what do you expect from PDP? They are an opposition and they believe that opposition means creating fear and anxiety in the hearts of people which is far from the ethos of democracy.”
The Commissioner said the turnout by voters at the polls was as a result of the public’s confidence in the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC).
“It takes confidence for people to even come out because if they didn’t trust the system, they will not come out. But in cases where you have people who are looking for the slightest opportunity to ignite problems, it just goes to show that the opposition party just wants to create problems where there are none.”
A communiqué issued by a coalition of Civil Society Groups accredited by PLASIEC to monitor and observe the election said the election was violent free and transparently conducted.
The PDP Chairman in the State, Damishi Sango had protested the outcome of the elections, saying the outcome did not reflect the people’s will.
