The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kanam local government area of central Plateau state have threatened mass defection over alleged injustice by governor Simon Lalong.
They said, the impunity by the governor on the lo6cal government area if not stop, could force party members to leave the party.
“We fear that what is happening to APC in other states of the federation may also affect us here in Plateau state. We make bold to say that the governor’s actions and inaction in conducting the affairs of APC in Plateau state is not helping the party in the state.”
A press text of the press conference by a group “APC stakeholders” from Kanam issued the threat Monday, the said text was read by Mr. Kalamu Idris Dal at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Plateau state council, Jos, Plateau state.
Mr. Kalamu who claimed to be the campaign coordinator for re-election bid of the incumbent governor Simon Lalong 2019, said should their issues in Kanam are not addressed quickly, he might abandoned his position for Lalong’s ambition for re-elected as governor of Plateau state, second term.
According to the group, Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong has plan to substitute the dully winner of the APC primary elections council chairmanship candidate for Kanam, Hon Abdullahi Mohammed Barau with Abbas Adamu Wokdung, for the forthcoming local government elections in Kanam local government area.
“We are compelled to issue this press release non the face of wanton threats, overbearing political interference and attempt at perpetrating illegalities by the executive governor of plateau state Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong.”We are worried by the extend of political provocation being meted out to us in Kanam local government area especially in the face of clear disregard for the rule of law and the essence of judicial intervention.”
The press text alleged that governor Lalong has written to the Plateau state Independent Electoral commission PLASIEC to substitute the dully winner of the APC primaries in Kanam.
“Our grievance is that, an illegal directive credited to and confirmed by the executive governor of Plateau state to the APC leadership in the state to write the PLASIEC to effect the illegal substitution of Hon Abdullahi Mohammed Barau with Abbas Adamu Wokdung.”
It said the action of the governor is illegal “we dare to ask, what law empowers the governor to meddle into the primary election for Kanam local government?”
A multitude of APC members from Kanam local government area attended the press conference; those interviewed by our reporter expressed disappointments by the development.