PDP Backs Out Of Borno LG Election

The Peoples Democratic Party in Borno State has pulled out of the December 13 local government election after a review meeting in Maiduguri.

Party leaders said they reached the decision because they no longer trust the process put forward by the state electoral body.

The party explained that the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission failed to give opposition parties any real assurance that the exercise would be free or fair. Leaders said they were concerned that the environment around the polls did not support a credible contest.

They also pointed to the high cost of expression of interest and nomination forms, saying the fees were far beyond the reach of many aspirants at a time when residents are dealing with tough economic conditions. According to the party, this alone weakened the ability of candidates to compete.

The PDP further faulted the state government for not amending the Electoral Act to allow councillorship results to be announced at ward level and chairmanship results at local government headquarters. Party officials said this failure creates space for manipulation and leaves opposition parties exposed.

They argued that the current process makes it possible for the ruling APC to keep control of the system without genuine competition. Party leaders said going into the polls under these conditions would not serve the interest of their supporters.

With the withdrawal confirmed, attention now shifts to how the election will proceed without one of the state’s major opposition parties, and what it means for confidence in the final outcome.