LG Election: Shoddy Preparation, Lack of Funds Threatens APC Chances

Aspirant says Power Minister, Sale Mamman not interested in growth of APC in Taraba

 

 

Poor preparation lack of campaign funds and synergy amidst stakeholders  might hinder the chances of  All Progressive Congress APC in Taraba State from making outstanding performance at the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

 

 

The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) has announced that Local government elections in the state earlier postponed would now hold on June 30, 2020.

The election which was earlier billed for May 16 could not hold due the lockdown imposed on the state as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr Philip Duwe in the statement said following a meeting held on the 6th of June, 2020, between the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC), Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), and some political parties, it was agreed that election should hold on June 30.

 

 

Taraba Truth and Facts gathered that many aspirants in the APC are worried about funding of the electioneering process, lamenting that many stakeholders in the party are not interested in the election citing that the umpire will rig out the APC since its controlled by the State government.

 

Many of the aspirants who spoke to Taraba Truth and Fact Newspaper also expressed dissatisfaction on the manner the leadership of the APC is approaching the local government election.

 

"With the performance of the APC in the last general election, the party has a better chance of winning some local governments and ward at the poll, for instance our chances are bright in Gassol, Ibi, Bali, Jalingo and Gashaka. Our  party can also benefit from the internal crisis rocking the PDP in Sardauna, Takum and Donga if our leaders put in their seriousness at the poll,

 

"But it's seems our party is not ready and our stakeholders are not interested in the local government elections, many of our leaders particularly Senator Yusuf A Yusuf and Minister of Power, Sale Mamman are not doing anything to encourage those aspiring to participate in the election, When Mama Taraba was serving as Minister under the APC, she mobilized supports for the APC candidates during local government election, she spent money and give directions the party was able to win some seats at the wards level," an aspirant from Bali said.

 

Another aspirant from the Southern Zone laments that funding is a major problem for the APC in the upcoming LG poll.

"We don't have a strong leader that will support our efforts with funds to run our campaigns, why contest an election without financial back up and a very poor body language of the party leadership. Where do we get money to mobilize our supporters to come out and vote, pay party agents and campaign?

 

 

"It's like the minister of power is not interested at the growth of the APC in Taraba State, he does not show concern about the development of the party and its members, despite having good relationship with Governor Ishaku, he has refused to intervene in the arrest of Idris Ayuba a staunch member of the APC in the state, Ayuba wants to contest for Chairmanship of Donga Local Government and he is very popular but today he is being illegally detained and everybody seems to be alright with it.

 

 

The aspirants want the APC to present popular candidates for the election, "candidates who labour for the party at the grassroot during the last election, candidates the local people can easily relate and identify with.

 

"We have some leaders who are trying to impose candidates just to prove relevancy , the leadership of the party should ensure popular candidates who are at advantages are allowed to fly the party's tickets at the poll, every politics its local even with the fact that the umpire are controlled by the state government we will still give our best and push to victory, with proper grassroot mobilization the APC might spring surprises at the poll."