Violence has erupted in Dengi, headquarters of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, following the alleged disappearance of electoral officials.
The said officials were supposed to announce the winner of the elections at the collection centre, but their absence sparked pandemonium.
According to eyewitnesses, several motorcycles were set ablaze at the PDP office in Dengi, as party supporters ran for their safety.
“The situation is tense, and security operatives are trying to restore order”; said the eye witness
Sale Mohammed, a professor and APC chieftain and former council chairman of Kanam Local Government Area, addressed journalists in Dengi; revealing that the party’s candidates overwhelmingly won 95 percent of the election in Kanam, taking 14 out of 20 wards.
However, Sale expressed his loss of confidence in the electoral commission (PLASIEC), stating that he had suspected foul play even before the polls. He alleged that the returning officers for the local government had absconded from the ward collections.
It was gathered that Security operatives and political thugs reportedly refused to allow Professor Sale and his team access to the venue where the election results were meant to be announced. This has further fueled tensions and suspicions of electoral malpractice.
The situation in Dengi is a reflection of the broader challenges faced in the state, where electorates were disenfranchised in several places due to inadequate electoral materials, particularly ballot papers.
The Plateau state independent electoral commission has faced criticism for its handling of the elections, with some adhoc staff reportedly absent from their polling units in Kanam and Wase local government areas.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the electoral commission will address the concerns and ensure a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
When contacted on the issue on telephone, the Police Public Relation Officer PPRO, Plateau state, Alfred Alabo, said he will find out and get back to our correspondent with any information.