The Peoples Democratic Party in Borno State has announced it will not participate in the state’s local government elections scheduled for Saturday, December 13, citing lack of trust in the electoral body and the high cost of expression of interest and nomination forms. In a Friday statement released by the party’s state Publicity Secretary, Amos Adziba, the decision was reached at a recent State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held in Maiduguri.
In a communique issued after the meeting, Adziba listed several reasons for the withdrawal, including distrust of BOSIEC and the ruling All Progressives Congress, further stated that PDP alleged that the state electoral body is unmindful of the harsh prevailing economic challenges in the country by demanding high purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms.
Another concern raised by the party was the failure of the government to amend the electoral bill to allow councilor election results to be announced at the ward level and chairmanship results at local government headquarters.
News men had in October reported that the APC expressed readiness to participate in the elections. However Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri at the time, the state party chairman, Bello Ayuba, said arrangements had been concluded, and according to him, the party had formally notified BOSIEC of its readiness.
