Plateau LG poll: Candidates allege substitution of names

Isaac Shobayo, Jos - 07.02.2008

LOCAL government election in Plateau State slated for February 16 has run into a hitch over inadequate preparation by the State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASEIC) and the alleged pressure being mounted on the commission by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to substitute names of some candidates on alleged security reasons.

The alleged plan for substitution is currently generating tension in the state as armed policemen on Monday were drafted to the state secretariat of the PDP along Bukuru Road due to the influx of protesters from Mikang, Wase and Lantang local government areas of the state who got wind of the news that names of candidates who won at primaries had been substituted.

The protesters, numbering over 3,000 and angry party stalwarts from the countryhome of the former National chairman of the ruling party, Chief Solomon Lar, were also seen at the party headquarters at the Dadinkowa area of Jos chanting anti-party leadership slogans, insisting that justice must be allowed to prevail in the matter.

One of the affected candidates, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity, said he won the primary election of his council with a wide margin and his name submitted to the PLASIEC and consequently screened, but was later informed that his name had been dropped and replaced with the aspirant who came third in the primary.

According to him, on enquiry from the commission, his name was dropped due to security reasons. He presented the letter of clearance given to him by PLASIEC.

The issue of alleged substitution is presently causing ripples within the PDP in the state as stalwarts of the party are pointing fingers at one another.