The coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates in Plateau State has observed and followed with keen interest the body language of PLASIEC in relation to discharging the constitutional mandate of conducting a free, fair, and credible Local Government Council Elections in Plateau State.
"As candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with high stakes in the long-awaited 2026 Local Government Council polls, we are inclined to believe that PLASIEC’s complacency is a calculated attempt to create a vacuum of Democratically elected structures across the 17 Local Government Councils of Plateau State."
Briefing newsmen in Jos led by Hon. Silvanus Dashe Datong of the coalition of the PDP at the NUJ Press Center said, it is no news that Plateau State's current Local Government Council democratic structures were established on October 10, 2024 following the PLASIEC elections on October 9, 2024, and the official swearing-in ceremony on October 10, 2024.
While saying that,from the foregoing, come 10th October 2026, the tenure of the current Plateau State Local Government Administration would practically come to an end, thereby becoming legally expired and ceasing to exist in the eyes of the law.
"Therefore, on the 10th of October 2026 ten - days from today, the tenure of the democratic elected structures across the 17 Local Government Councils of Plateau State will expire"he stated..
According to him,it is indisputable that the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) draws its legitimacy and lifeline operations from section 179 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).
He said the supremacy of this Constitution cannot be overemphasized at this critical juncture in the democratic journey of the people of Plateau State.
Hon.Datong stated further that section 7 (1) of the Constitution in very clear terms guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected local government council amongst others, adding that thus, establishing democratically elected local government structures across the 17 councils of Plateau State is a constitutional mandate.
He call on the attention of PLASIEC, critical stakeholders, and lovers of democracy on the Plateau to the fact that a vacuum is about to be created which, if allowed, will lead to far-reachingm consequences, amounting to a constitutional breach and placing Plateau's democracy at a crossroads.
They demand that PLASIEC should save and sustain Democracy in Plateau State by complying with all relevant provision of PLASIEC LAW 202T,and PLASIEC should make deliberate and conscious efforts in the next 9 days from today and conduct a free, fair and credible local government elections in Plateau State to avoid throwing Plateau Democracy into chaos.
Also the Plateau State Government must as a matter of urgent public importance provide all lawful necessary support to PLASIEC to enable the commission conduct a free fair and credible local government elections withing 9 days from today to avoid being complicit, should vacuum be created at the local government structures of Plateau State as a result of the failure or inability of PLASIEC to discharge its lawful mandate before 10th October 2026.
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