The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Plateau State chapter,
has decried what it describes as flagrant abuse of power by the ruling party,
All Progressives Congress (APC), by encouraging Independent Electoral
Commission (INEC), to conduct an election that is pending before a court of
law.
A chieftain of the state chapter of the party and member
elders’ forum, Prof. Dakum Shown, who spoke to journalists on Friday during the
election of executives for the party’s elder’s forum, said that there will be
no democracy in the country if rule of law was not obeyed.
Prof. Shown expressed dismay that a government that was
supposed to be responsible for law and order in the state was encouraging abuse
of the rule of law.
He accused Governor Simon Lalong of being undemocratic
and quoting the governor saying: “away with the court’s decision”, regarding
the controversial elections embroiled in court case.
On enquiry by BC NEWS, concerning the botched House of
Representatives elections in Langtang South, a Deputy Director in charge of
publicity, PLASIEC, Osaretin Imahiyereobo, said there was no court injunction,
and as such the elections will go on.
Mr Imahiyereobo said the presiding judge, Justice D.V
Agishi made only verbal comments which was not binding on their decision to
carry on with the elections; he said besides, since the court adjoined the
motion for hearing to 16th of February, 2017, there was no way, a
stay of action would be effective.
A reliable source wishing to remain anonymous claimed
that the ruling party was banking on the delayed process of court proceedings:
after elections have been conducted and won by APC, they occupy the contested office,
of Langtang South constituency, before the next national primaries comes up
again, then there will not be any case to answer to, the source said.
The PDP state chapter Publicity Secretary, Hon. John Akans,
said the party would oppose any outcome of the elections scheduled today by
INEC, in Langtang South.
He said: “Once a matter is before the court of law all
actions most stay. Especially when there is an application for injunction,
parties must restrain themselves for taking any action that is inimical to the
unfinished proceedings.
The Publicity Secretary further said all relevant
security agencies including INEC have been served with the court order, and
none should claim ignorance.
Earlier, the PDP state party chairman, Damishi Sango
presided over the elders committee executive election; Sir Fidelis Tapgun,
emerged as the Chairman of the PDP state party elders forum, while a former top
management staff of PRTV, Barr. Justina Vrengle was elected Secretary of the
forum.
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