Taraba APC Accuses TSIEC of Bias, Vows to Contest LG Elections

Jalingo – The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has accused the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) of plotting to tilt the forthcoming local government elections in favor of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued after a meeting of its State Working Committee, the APC said it was "disturbed" by credible reports that TSIEC had already handed nomination forms to PDP candidates on credit, while opposition aspirants were being forced to pay what it described as "exorbitant and prohibitive fees."

The party alleged that the move was a deliberate ploy to disenfranchise its members and other opposition parties.

"This fraudulent arrangement presupposes that the election has already been decided even before the votes are cast," the APC said in the statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Aaron Artimas.

Despite the alleged irregularities, the APC leadership resolved to mobilize its members to fully participate in the elections, saying it would not surrender the political space in Taraba to the PDP.

The party also directed stakeholders in all 16 local government areas to urgently convene meetings to produce consensus candidates for chairmanship and councillorship positions, adding that the State Working Committee would procure nomination forms for its aspirants in order to ease participation.

"The APC will participate in this election, if only to underscore our presence and acceptability across Taraba State," the statement noted.

The Taraba APC maintained that the actions of TSIEC had already cast doubt on the credibility of the polls but vowed to use the exercise to demonstrate that it remains a viable alternative to the PDP in the state.