Plateau State– The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) local government primaries in Plateau State have been marred by significant glitches and complaints, leading to unrest in some council areas. The primaries, which began on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, were intended to select candidates for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 9, 2024. However, the process has been anything but smooth, with reports of violence, candidate imposition, and marginalization of key party stakeholders.
One of the most troubling incidents occurred in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, where the Transitional Implementation Committee Chairman, Mr. Christopher Audu Manship, was brutally attacked by thugs shortly after he was declared the winner of the primary. Manship, who is now fighting for his life, was not the only victim. Observers from the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) were also reportedly assaulted during the violence that broke out following the announcement of the primary results.
In response to the violence and irregularities, the National Secretariat of the PDP has taken the drastic step of canceling the outcomes of the primaries in Qua’an Pan and Shendam Local Government Areas. The decision was made after it became clear that the primaries in these areas were compromised by misconduct and did not reflect the will of the party members.
Since the primaries began, there have been numerous reports of discontent among PDP members. Many have complained about the alleged imposition of candidates by government officials and the exclusion of influential party members who have been considered major stakeholders. In particular, there has been widespread dissatisfaction in Qua’an Pan, Mikang, Jos East, and Shendam, where it is alleged that candidates backed by former House of Representatives members were systematically defeated by those supported by the state government.
One anonymous party stakeholder expressed frustration, stating that the primaries were used as a tool by state government officials to consolidate power within the local councils. According to this source, the sidelined stakeholders included former House of Representatives members who had hoped to use the local government elections to position their allies for the 2027 general elections.
Despite the mounting complaints, the State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Chris Hassan, has defended the primaries, describing them as the most free and fair the party has ever conducted in Plateau State. Hassan dismissed the allegations of candidate imposition and marginalization, stating that all aspirants had a fair chance to contest and that the large number of contestants demonstrated the PDP’s strength in the state.
“The primaries were free and fair; aspirants contested, and winners emerged without any issues. This is the best congress in recent times, with the highest level of participation,” Hassan said in a statement to the Sunday Tribune.
However, the cancellation of the primaries in Qua’an Pan and Shendam by the National Working Committee highlights the deep divisions and challenges the party faces as it prepares for the October elections. With only a few weeks left, the PDP must work quickly to address the grievances and restore unity among its members to ensure a credible and peaceful election.
