The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has threatened to boycott the August 17, 2024 Local Government election in Bauchi State, over alleged breach of the electoral law by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC).
The Bauchi State Secretary of the party Comrade Nasiru Danbauchi said this in a press conference in Bauchi on Friday.
He alleged that BASIEC has sealed plans to alienate some political parties from participating in the electoral process in violation of the State Electoral Law 2008 in Section 18.
The section states that, “The conduct of elections to local government councils in the state shall be under the direction, organization and supervision of the Commission and in accordance with the provisions of this Law, Regulations, Guidelines, rules and Manuals issued or made by State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC):
Danbauchi said the lack of proper Guidelines by the state electoral body saying it has made it impossible for the parties to provide candidates for the election
“We sensed that, the so-called election will be more of a charade, than an election, because in all intent, and purpose, BASIEC, the agency with the statutory responsibility of conducting the election, will execute the bidding of the Bauchi State government to conduct a kangaroo and a discredited election,”
“By alienating or luring perceived strong opposition political parties, in order to legitimise the process and government’s plan to impose preferred stooges as chairmen and councilors for the Local Government Councils”
Danbauchi alleged that “the state government will use puppets they imposed to further deepen their heinous plunder of Local Government funds despite the Supreme Court’s verdict
The party is uncomfortable with the timeline of activities ahead of the August 17 election :
“Of its activities in retrospect, clearly stated “Issuance of Notice of Local Government Council Election no registered Political Parties and the general public” as the activity of 7th June, 2024,” the Secretary noted.
“But regrettably, unit this moment as we speak, BASIEC has not issued our party, the SDP with any notice concerning this planned Local Government election or ANY other document of such except the election timetable.
“Let me unequivocally say that, we in the SDP are not participating in the so-called election because we sensed and saw all these regularities coming.
“But as a registered political party in Nigeria,, we condemn this act in totality. In fact, we wish to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and all the relevant stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process, to expedite action in scrapping all State Independent Electoral Commissions, SIEC, so that a more neutral body such as INEC can be made to take over the conduct of Local Government elections in Nigeria, to give the process move credibility This is necessary for the growth of our democracy especially at the Local Council levels”
He said the SDP found it disturbing that BASIEC gave only two days -i22nd-24th of July- for the collection of nomination Forms and just 4 days – 25th-29th of July – for the submission of completed forms respectively.
“For an election of such nature, relatively sufficient time and space, ought to have been provided on important activities such as the aforesaid to enable every political party and the contestants ample opportunities to participate in the election,” he said
“Another deliberate attempt to shut the oppositions out of the election, the BASIEC in contravention of the extant provisions of the 2008 Electoral Law of the State particularly in Part 2, Section 23 (8)-00 in collecting non-refundable fee of N200, 000 from Deputy Chairmanship candidates who are only to be nominated by the Chairmanship candidates and not to be subjected to any separate monetary demand.
“While we agree strongly, that BASIEC has the discretion to generate funds, it is unmitigated extortion and brazen violation of the Electoral Act 2008 as amended.
“The Commission is still collecting N50, 000, N30, 000 and N20, 000 from the contestants as administrative charges for job which the staff of the Commission are paid to do with tax payers’ money!
“This is an outright extortion! It is aimed at frustrating and dissuading people from contesting or taking part in the elections”
The SDP demanded, among others that BASIEC halt the process of the election and restart so that there will be justice, fairness, equity and level playing-ground, for all patties in the process, without any encumbrances, and all nomination Forms be sold at a fee not exceeding N100, 000 only.
The SDP warned the Commission to not collect anything as administrative charge from parties because it received funding from the State Government to organize and conduct this election.
“Sufficient time should be provided for the collection, submission of completed Forms as well as for campaigns by all candidates. These are Constitutional Rights that should be protected by BASIEC at all cost,” the State secretary said
