By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Amidst its popularity and tremendous support by followers , the opposition All Progressives Congress(APC) in Sokoto has declared its position not to participate in the state upcoming local government elections scheduled for March 27, 2021.
Addressing a press conference Sunday at its party State Headquarters at Diplomat Area along Sultan Atiku Road, Sokoto, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Sadiq Isah Achida who said the party had made wide consultations with stakeholders before taking its stand, also expressed its lack of confidence in the composition of the State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC).
” Our position is due to the glaring fact that they are all card carrying members of the PDP.
” They are all cohorts to the leadership of the government in Sokoto state who are always dancing to their tunes”, Achida said.
According to the Chairman, APC in the state expected the electoral umpire to arrange a consultative meeting with all political parties to ensure a peaceful and successful conduct of the polls , but it refused to.
Hitherto, Achida added” all political parties should have been invited by the umpire for their input before coming up with a date for the polls which is an indication of an ulterior motive of lack of fairness and unwillingness to provide level playing ground for political parties wishing to participate in the elections.
“To our dismay ,the commission went ahead to and prepared a time table only convenient for them and their paymasters which was sent to us only for information.”
In the same vein, the party further alleged that local government system in the state was already a failure with attendant but deliberate act of starving them of funds which was why they were recording dismal performance.
The Caretaker Chairman who noted that the party had been on top of its record of tremendous support being enjoyed in the state said it cannot afford to drag the good name of the party in the muddy waters by associating its self with failure; pointing out that ” even though our party is sure of winning the local government polls, the present state administration is such that will not allow them to function effectively.
” In the light of these circumstances and after due consultations with stakeholders of our party in the state, the Sokoto state Chapter of APC has resolved not to participate in the forthcoming local government elections”, while calling on members and supporters of APC across the state not to participate in the elections in the interest of the party and in defence of the principles of democracy which the party represents.
” I urge you all to remain calm ad continue to be law abiding in unity”, Achida said.
