From Andrew Ajijah, Jos
The All Progressives Congress( APC) in Plateau State has rejected the results of the March 18, 2023 governorship election that gave victory to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Barr Caleb Mutfwang.
The Chairman of APC in the state, Mr Rufus Bature disclosed this on Monday during a press conference held at party’s secretariat in Jos.
According to him, the party after after studying the outcome of the election decided to proceed to the tribunal since its petitions are already within the domain of the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Bature alleged that the PDP conivined with the electoral umpire and rigged the election.
“It is important to stress here that several emerging facts in the last few days are already confirming our reservations about the entire exercise.”
“Our reality checks including unfolding developments have strongly indicated how electoral best practices were thrown overboard by members of the opposition PDP.
“Some polling units in Jos North LGA; the premeditated and reckless over-voting registered in Langtang North, Mangu, and Jos South LGAs as well as Tudun Wada and Kabong in Jos North LGA; and the unabashed manipulation of the electoral process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and ad hoc staff to favour the opposition PDP in the state,” he said.
He also alleged that there was also intimidation of voters by members of the opposition party particularly the resident of the governor elect , Barr Mutfwang where APC supporters were attacked by the PDP during the election.
“The opposition PDP hoodlums had resorted to violence, destroying our Party’s campaign materials (billboards, flags and posters). This is particularly evident in Mangu where the “Generationext” Campaign office was unabashedly destroyed and pilfered. Commuters, especially those who passed through Mangu were also attacked and harassed.
” We have all the evidence on tape and videos. How else can we convey these needless harassments and cajoling of our members into accepting the opposition PDP’s pyrrhic,” he said.
It would be recalled that the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Idris Amali announced Bar Mutfwang of the PDP victorious with 52599 votes to defeat his closet rival Dr Nentawe Yilwatdat of the APC who scored 481370.
