A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, Edward Percy Masha, has raised concerns about the preparation and credibility of the upcoming council elections in the state, scheduled for October 19, 2024.
Masha, also a state chairmanship aspirant, expressed dissatisfaction with the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission’s handling of the elections, citing the lack of released guidelines for political parties and the unsigned new law passed by the State House of Assembly, according to Daily Post.
He advocated for a national body to conduct local government elections, ensuring credibility and fairness, in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Masha expressed confidence in PDP’s victory in most local government areas, citing the party’s performance in the 2023 general elections, where they won all three Senatorial seats and 10 out of 16 House of Representatives seats.
He assured that, if given the chance to lead the party, he would bring back members and ensure victory in all elections.
Speaking to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday, the party chieftain, who is also the state chairmanship aspirant of PDP said, “I am not satisfied with the issue of local government autonomy because as of today, there is nothing that is happening to justify the ruling of the Supreme Court on the local government autonomy.
“I am not also satisfied with Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission conducting a credible council elections in the state. If there is council autonomy, we should allow a national body to conduct local government election in the states.”
Masha also laments, “It is most unfortunate with what SIECOM in Kaduna state is doing. The new law passed by the State House of Assembly on the council election is yet to be signed by the governor. The state governor must things clear towards ensuring a credible, free and fair local government elections in the state.”
