Yobe LG election lack credibility – ADC
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe state has demanded for the cancellation of the local government election conducted by state Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
According to press release by the party, the process lacked credibility.
The press release signed by the state Chairman of ADC, Umar Kalli Alhaji, said “the election was characterized by irregularities and gross breaches of the electoral law.
“Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution gives the State Independent Electoral Commission, YSIEC, power to organise, undertake, and supervise all elections to local government councils within the state.
“While Section 29 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022, tasked the political parties to hold primary and submit the list of candidates to the commission not later than 180 days before election.
“The ADC has not been properly informed by the YSIEC about the election for the submission of it’s candidates which is a violation of the 2022 Electoral Act.”
The ADC stated that it had written to the Commission demanding for the extension of the elections for the commission to regularise the process in line with the 2022 Electoral Act, but it ignored its request and went ahead to conduct the LG election.
“We dragged the YSIEC before the State High Court over its failure to serve us with any notice about the election, which is a violation of the 2022 electoral act, yet the logo of our party appeared on the ballot paper among the 9 political parties that participated in the election.
“The same YSIEC that refused to recognise our existence as a political party, is the same commission that produced the ballot paper with ADC’s logo, knowing fully well that the party has no candidate in the election.”
When contacted, the YSIEC Chairman, Dr. Mamman Muhammad said the Commission was not aware of any case filed before any court by the ADC, maintaing that the election was conducted in full compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act.
