The Kebbi State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its withdrawal from the forthcoming local government council elections scheduled for August 31.
This decision was made known by the party’s chairman, Alhaji Bello Usman-Suru, during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
According to Usman-Suru, the party’s withdrawal is due to the compromised leadership of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM), whose chairman and commissioners are allegedly card-carrying members of the APC. This, he said, makes it impossible to conduct free, fair, and credible elections.
The PDP chairman also expressed dissatisfaction with the creation of administrative fees for chairmanship, vice chairmanship, and councillorship positions, which he believes disenfranchises candidates and violates freedom of choice. He further criticized the sudden change in the payment deadline for these fees, calling it an attempt to discourage opposition parties from participating.
Usman-Suru appealed to PDP members to remain calm and focused, assuring them that the party is exploring options to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. He expressed hope that the National Assembly would pass a bill allowing INEC to take over the conduct and management of local government elections.
