PDP, APC to test strength in Abuja council poll

The All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party renew their rivalry on Saturday (today) as they fight for the control of the six area councils in Abuja.

The election will produce six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.

The election, was earlier scheduled for March 19, was shifted by the Independent National Electoral Commission over the refusal of some members of the National Youth Service Corps to serve as ad hoc staff.

The commission said it had approached the University of Abuja to supply the shortfall in the number of the ad hoc staff which it experienced as a result of the action of the corps members.

Both the PDP and the APC have renewed their campaigns since the postponement of the election.

It is believed that its outcome will determine the popularity or otherwise of President Muhammadu Buhari and his governing party, the APC.

There are fears that the residents might use the vote to show their grievances over the lingering fuel crisis which has paralysed economic activities in the nation’s capital.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, had questioned the rationale behind the shifting of the election, which he said might not be unconnected with an alleged plan by the APC to use security agencies to rig it.

INEC has, however, affirmed its readiness to conduct a hitch-free election.

It also implored political parties and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the process.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the assurance, even as he implored politicians to play by the rules and enjoined supporters to maintain peace throughout the process.

He asked politicians to ensure that their supporters conduct themselves in a peaceful manner before, during and after the elections.

He spoke at a stakeholders’ forum, which took place in Abuja on Thursday evening.

He explained that the commission had so far taken every step necessary for the conduct of elections in the FCT this weekend.

He 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”.

The INEC chairman condemned pockets of political violence experienced recently leading to the death of one person and an averted plot to attack the INEC office in Abaji.

He, however, expressed confidence that the understanding and commitment to free and fair elections that prevailed at the forum would be extended to the elections proper.

The National Commissioner in Charge of the North-Central Zone, Prof. Anthonia Simbine, urged all stakeholders in the elections, especially the political parties, to moderate their political behaviour before, during and after the elections.

PUNCH