Plateau INEC Boss Stirring Up War – Group

A group under the aegis of Plateau Citizens has declared that they will resist plans by the Plateau state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Malam Halilu Pai, to take the state into another round of crisis, accusing him of beating the drums of war.

The group said as concerned citizens, Plateau youths were questioning INEC over its neutrality in the electoral process, asserting that majority of the crises that have engulfed the state were the outcome of the insensitivity of the electoral body to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Jos, the Plateau state capital, the group’s Director, Mr. Joseph Bot, also called for the resignation of the state INEC boss.

“We hereby call on Malam Halilu Pai to resign honorably as the lives of Nigerian citizens surpass the interest of one man; our second prayer is a call for the cancellation of election in Jos North, Shendam, Wase, Kanam, Qua’an-Pan, Langtang South and Mikang Local Government Areas,” he said.

The body accused the resident electoral commissioner of illegally distributing sensitive electoral materials, including thumb- printed ballot papers in favour of a particular political party.

“These sensitive materials were found in the hands of reputable political personalities days before the general elections. Other sins of the electoral umpire range from the deployment of military troops who disrupted the election by harassing and brutally assaulting the electorate and youth corps members.

“Use of unclaimed PVCs in the possession of INEC while carrying out secret accreditation at various corners. Exchange of smart card reader machines in some polling units and collation centers among others,” the group alleged.