Gyang Bere, Jos
Former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen, has said that the state has no choice than to align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal level during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
She noted that Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and expressed optimism that Plateau people would vote for APC in the state.
Tallen disclosed this in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State after voting in her polling unit and expressed dissatisfaction with the initial turn out of voters in the early hours of the day.
“The turn out generally at first was not too impressive when I cast my vote at my polling unit at about 8:30am compare to the presidential election; we had to reach out to the ward heads to mobilise people to come out and vote.
“The presidential election is different from the governorship election; a lot of people have realised their mistakes. Plateau has no choice than to key into the federal. Nigerians have unanimously accepted APC; Nigerians have faith in Mr President that was why they voted him.
“Plateau is an APC state and by the grace of God we will still maintain that. I thank God now that the voter turnout is very impressive.”
Tallen said stakeholders in Shendam Local Government Area including wards leaders were reached to mobilise people across the electoral wards in the local government area to enable them exercise their franchise.
She blamed early low turnout on lack of water in the area, as women left their homes early in the morning to fetch water.
“But when we reach out to some stakeholders, the situation change, the men and women were moblised and now, the turnout is impressive now.