In February, 2012, the Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Council’s of Plateau State were dissolved and replaced with Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen for the LGAs appointed by the Governor of Plateau State. The Chairmen of Shendam, Qua’an Pan and Barkin ladi Local Governments were, however, fortunate to retain their seats. Immediately after dissolving the elected Chairmen, the Governor promised credible elections would be conducted by PLASIEC within the shortest possible time. Since then, the proposed elections have been shifted consistently with the latest being the postponement or uncertainty of the 7th December, 2013 Local Government elections.

In February, 2012, the Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Council’s of Plateau State were dissolved and replaced with Transition Implementation Committee Chairmen for the LGAs appointed by the Governor of Plateau State. The Chairmen of Shendam, Qua’an Pan and Barkin ladi Local Governments were, however, fortunate to retain their seats. Immediately after dissolving the elected Chairmen, the Governor promised credible elections would be conducted by PLASIEC within the shortest possible time. Since then, the proposed elections have been shifted consistently with the latest being the postponement or uncertainty of the 7th December, 2013 Local Government elections.

It is often commonly, and wrongly, said by some gullible politicians that ‘Plateau is a PDP Sate’, thus giving the some people the naïve impression that the first ‘P’ in PDP is for Plateau. Undeniably, Plateau is one of the cradles of PDP but for posterity’s sake, permit me to state that, PLATEAU IS NOT A PDP State, rather, it is a democratic State (as we hope). The Local Government elections represent the nucleus of the State elections which may later be translated as the block or divided votes from the Sate at the presidential elections. It is against this backdrop that it is highly imperative for Governor Jang to deliver the entire 17 LGCs to PDP. From another angle, it may seem that Baba Jang has nothing to lose whether he delivers the entire LGCs or not since his obvious focus is on the Northern Zone of the State but he is not the putative Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for nothing; the mandate is attached with a price tag, and I suppose mopping up votes for PDP in the LG elections is also part of the payment. Besides, as it is, Jang appears to be the only political godfather in the State, he has successfully silenced the mouths of the opposition and some lousy stakeholders in the State with his record of achievements, might and wealth. It is therefore pertinent for him to, if possible, maintain the results of the November 2008 elections where all the local governments, as it was declared, voted for one political party.

For now, no one is 100% certain of the exact date of the next elections; whether it will even hold this year or not but our hope is that it will be conducted anyway and that the elections will reflect the wishes of the electorates and not party stakeholders or State’s interest. People at the grassroots know who is more competent to serve them and if Governor Jang’s promise of not influencing the Local Government elections is true, then we can be sure that this forth coming elections will be a fairer one since 1999.
Our most disturbing fear, however, is the certainty of the elections; with the manner in which it has been repeatedly postponed to the point that another set of Chairmen have been appointed by the government, can we be sure that the elections will hold at all?

Secondly, is there any guarantee that the potentially volatile LGCs of Jos North, Jos South, wase and Langtang south are adequately tamed enough to avoid any post election violence or any form of crises during the elections? It would be more rational if the continuous postponement of the elections will favour a peaceful conduct of the elections.

Thirdly, can PLASIEC stake its integrity to assure Plateau People that there wont be a repeat of the 2008 LG elections? I remember clearly, the genuinely elected chairmen of Wase and Bokkos LGCs (from other parties aside) were sworn into office when the wrong ones had spent a better part of their tenure; after the deed was done.

Fourthly, the interplay between poverty and poor political participation among the youths is perhaps the most alarming fear. Youths who have actively participated in the campaign and election process may sell out at the eleventh hour when the highest bidder arrives, at such a moment they are blind to the capabilities of their candidates and would be willing to expend their future on their immediate wants. Other youths are political experts on social media are dummies in the real political arena. They are registered voters only in metropolitan areas and they neglect their Local Governments (mostly rural areas) to the usual elders who do what they know how to do best. I wish it can be inscribed on every Plateau Youth that ‘Charity begins at home’. If everyone takes his Ward elections seriously, we would have a more responsible government.
Credible candidates from any political party, and regardless of ethnic or religious differences, should be considered and voted for if we truly want to implement the change we seek else the cycle of poor leadership will continue.

by Bizum Yadok

Bizum is a political analyst and current affairs commentator who writes for ViewPointNigeria from Jos

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Plateau Local Government elections: Our fears, hopes and expectations by Bizum Yadok