By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has berated the PDP led Bauchi State Government for deceiving people about its achievements rather than focus on how deepen democracy through conducting free, fair and acceptable local government elections.
The PRP therefore dismissed as shameless, attempts by the State Government to whitewash the past using the media hype.
The PRP was reacting to a statement issued by the State Government through the Media Aide to the Governor, Comrade Mukhtar Gidado regarding the forthcoming local government elections titled “Version of Reality in Bauchi State”
The PRP, Bauchi State Chapter in a press statement signed by Hon. Abdulazeez Haruna., State Secretary stated that it has been made aware of a “misguided and deceitful statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, titled ‘LG Elections: Bala Mohammed Will Stand by His Word’, in which he attempted to whitewash the shameful records of the Bala Mohammed-led government in Bauchi State.”
The PRP further wrote that,”In his statement, Gidado shamelessly defended the indefensible, attempting to paint Bala Mohammed as a champion of democracy and good governance. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
It alleged that, “The facts are clear: Bala Mohammed has presided over a government marked by rigging, manipulation, and disregard for democratic principles.”
According to the PRP, “We recall the 2020 Local Government Elections in Bauchi State, which were marred by widespread rigging, violence, and manipulation by the PDP-led government.”
It stressed that, “The elections were a sham, with winners announced even before the polls had closed. The people of Bauchi State were left disillusioned and frustrated, feeling that their votes did not count.”
The PRP further wrote that, “Gidado’s attempt to rewrite history will not fool anyone. The Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), under the administration of Bala Mohammed, blatantly disregarded due process by hastily concocting and announcing the results and closed its offices without waiting for the actual data from the polling units to be collated.”
“This egregious action left electoral officials without a means to submit the actual results, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process. In the end, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of all chairmanship and councillorship seats, with no effort made to ensure transparency, accountability, or adherence to ethical standards,” It added.
The PRP added that,”In light of these facts, we are astonished that Gidado would have the audacity to claim that Bala Mohammed’s government has delivered “unprecedented developmental strides” in the state. What strides?”
“Has he forgotten that our economic conditions are still abject, our healthcare system is in disarray, and our people are still struggling to access basic amenities? Has he forgotten that hunger and poverty kill people in Bauchi State currently while the state government is doing nothing about it? Has he forgotten that Bauchi State farmers are in limbo without receiving any assistance from the state government?” the PRP stressed.
The PRP therefore demanded an apology from Gidado for his half-truths and fabrications stating that,”We call on Bala Mohammed to acknowledge the mistakes of his government and work towards rectifying them. We will not be swayed by empty rhetoric and disinformation.”
“Finally, we urge Governor Bala Mohammed to take concrete steps to address the concerns of citizens about the forthcoming local government elections. The people of Bauchi State deserve better than a government that is insensitive to their plight,” The PRP concluded .
