Violence erupted in Dengi, the headquarters of Kanam Local Government Area in Plateau State, on Thursday, following the alleged disappearance of electoral officials who failed to announce the winner of the local government election at the area’s collation centre.
Sources say the unrest began over suspicions of plans to rig the election. Angry protesters thereafter set fire to more than 40 motorcycles at the office of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Dengi.
It was reported that PDP supporters at the office fled for their safety as the situation intensified. Tensions have remained high in the area since Thursday.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kanam Local Government Area protested the conduct of the election. Speaking to journalists in Dengi, Kalamu Idris-Dal, the member representing Dengi in the Plateau State House of Assembly, described the situation as a “miscarriage of justice,” alleging that voters were disenfranchised.
Former Chairman of Kanam Local Government Area, Professor Saleh Mohammed, also expressed concern over the delay in releasing the results. According to Mohammed, based on 95 per cent of the results collated by APC agents, the party had won in 14 out of the 20 wards with a significant margin.
Meanwhile, the PDP has been announced the winner of 10 out of the 17 local government areas including the disputed Kanam LGA results.
The chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Hon. Plangji Daniel Cishak, who announced the results at the commission’s headquarters on Thursday said PDP candidates won 10 out of 17 LGA chairmanship positions.
He listed the LGAs as: Mikang, Shendam, Bassa, Riyom, Jos South, Jos East, Kanam, Quaapan, Langtang South, and Barkin Ladi. While results for Jos North, Pankshin, Kanke, Bokkos, Wase, Mangu, and Langtang North were still pending as of the time of filing this report.
