Gyang Bere, Jos
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau State has protested the declaration of Nde Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka, APC candidate for Plateau Central senatorial district, winner of the last Saturday’s election.
PDP Chairman, Plateau Central Senatorial District, Hon. Benedict Shitnuhul, who led all PDP candidates in the zone in a protest to the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), described the declaration as a broad day robbery of PDP mandate.
Hon. Shitnuhul, who spoke to journalists in Jos on Friday, said the Collation/Returning Officer of the National Assembly Elections, Prof. Joseph Mangut, had declared the elections inconclusive and signed by all parties agents but turned later in the night to announced the result under heavy security in favour of APC.
“We demand that INEC stands by its declaration on the results from Kanam Local Government Area. The PDP does not accept any purported announced results. Anything short of standing by the document earlier signed by the Returning Officer, Prof. Joseph Mangut is unacceptable.
“We have it on good authority that there were attempts to manipulate and alter the accreditation and voter information on the smart card readers. We call on INEC to maintain its integrity by ensuring that the smart card readers are protected and the data are secured without any alterations.”
Hon. Shitnuhul urged INEC to fix a date for a rerun election for the senatorial and House of Representatives election in Panshin/Kanke/Kanam federal constituency in the affected nine polling units were elections were canceled to enable them declared the winner.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau North Hon. Istifanus Dung Gyang winner of Plateau North Senatorial election.
Gyang, who is currently member representing Barkin-Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives polled 269, 555 votes to defeat Hon. Rufus Bature, the candidate of APC who scored 171233 votes.
The result which was declared amidst tight security by Professor Christopher Vande, Returning officer for the Plateau North Senatorial District said Istifanus Gyang of the PDP scored the highest vote and is therefore declared elected.