The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its intention to withdraw from the January 16th, 2021 local council election in Kano State.
Addressing journalists in Kano on Wednesday, the party’s caretaker chairman in the state, Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, said it is obvious that the opposition party will not get justice in the process that he claimed is already being undermined by the Umar Ganduje-led government.
Danladi questioned the trust and independence of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) to conduct credible poll scheduled for next year.
According to the PDP leader, the state government has approved a whopping sum of N2.3bn for KANSIEC to manipulate the process of the poll.
“The PDP believes that free and fair elections are integral and essential part of democratic processes as it provides a chance for citizens to choose leaders who will bring development and growth for the benefit of the people. However, this is only possible where there is confidence and trust in the electoral process and its leadership.
“We are of the conviction that these qualities are lacking in Kano KANSIEC. The PDP and indeed the people of Kano cannot forget how Governor Ganduje and the APC, in connivance with electoral official used hoodlums and political thugs as well as security agents to intimidate voters and disenfranchise the populace during the 2019 general election.
“In our wisdom as the main opposition, we cannot give credibility to an election that has a prearranged outcome, an election conducted by a government that stole our mandate. Our decision is also predicated on the fact that we don’t have confidence in the electoral process and that will not get a level playing field from KANSIEC,” Danladi said.
