In Abuja

PDP, APC resume battle at council polls

Metuh had alleged that the move by the Independent National Electoral Commission, might not be unconnected with an alleged plan by the APC to use security agencies to rig.

 

Today, Saturday, April 9, 2016, the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party will renew their age long rivalry as the battle to canvass voters for the control of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to a report by Punch Newspaper, the election, which will produce six area council chairmen and 62 councillors, has already seen National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, questioning the rationale behind the shifting of the election from March 19, 2016 to April 9, 2016.

Metuh had alleged that the move by the Independent National Electoral Commission, might not be unconnected with an alleged plan by the APC to use security agencies to rig it.

However, INEC had denied the allegations saying the election postponement was as a result of the refusal of some members of the National Youth Service Corps to serve as ad hoc staff, hence, it had approached the University of Abuja to supply the shortfall in the number of the ad hoc staff which it experienced.

INEC further affirmed its readiness to conduct a hitch-free election while imploring political parties and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the process.

Speaking at a recent press conference with stakeholders, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said, “All non-sensitive materials have been procured and delivered to our area council offices. Sensitive materials shall be delivered to our FCT Headquarters and shared in the presence of all political parties and stakeholders as scheduled.

“Our registration centre areas will be activated on Friday. Election duty staff will be at the polling unit on Saturday morning to commence simultaneous accreditation and voting at exactly 8 in the morning”.