PDP vows to challenge Kaduna LG poll in court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has announced its intention to legally contest the legitimacy of the Local Government elections held on October 19 throughout the state.

The party criticized what it termed the secretive swearing-in of 23 local government council chairpersons by Governor Uba Sani, labeling the act a disgrace and an affront to democracy.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) declared candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winners of all chairmanship and councilorship positions.

Hajara Mohammed, the Chairperson of KADSIECOM, made this announcement on Saturday, October 19, in Kaduna, stating, “The Electoral and Returning Officers have submitted their reports; the APC has won all 23 chairmanship and 255 councillorship seats.”

However, the PDP expressed its concerns in a statement released on Friday by its Publicity Secretary, Maria Dogo, which was shared with reporters in Kaduna.

The statement read, “PDP is not surprised by this covert action, as it is evident that these individuals were not elected by the populace but imposed by the regime at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House.

“We maintain that no local government council elections occurred in Kaduna State on October 19. Any subsequent actions, including the issuance of return certificates, swearing-in ceremonies, or the assumption of office by these appointed individuals, are therefore invalid and will not withstand legal scrutiny.

“The PDP assures the citizens of Kaduna State that we are actively pursuing legal action to challenge the legitimacy of the election law that was hastily introduced into the electoral process.”

The statement further criticized the law as the flawed foundation for what it described as corrupt and poorly executed political maneuvering by “Governor Uba Sani, the APC, and the disreputable KADSIECOM Chairperson, Haj. Hajara Mohammed.”

“KADSIECOM has audaciously declared the APC the victor in an election that never occurred,” the statement noted.

The PDP pledged to take the matter to the Supreme Court to seek justice and safeguard democracy in Kaduna State.

It warned the newly appointed council chairpersons, whom it referred to as “conscripted,” that they would be held accountable for any mismanagement of local government finances.

The statement reminded them that their appointments were intended to facilitate the diversion of federal allocations.

It further asserted that the actions of the APC amounted to a call for anarchy, urging the citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm and support their efforts to have these individuals removed through legal channels and to organize fresh elections.

“Under the leadership of Chief Edward Percy Masha, democracy will triumph in Kaduna State, and the people will have the ultimate authority. This is our assurance,” the statement concluded.