Plateau LG Elections: PLASIEC Commissioner Resigns

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Commissioner for Budget and Planning with the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Dr. Stephen Hirse has resigned his appointment with the commission for allegedly refusing to accept the malpractices that marred the recent conduct of Local Government elections in the state.

The council elections wererecently held in 13 of 17 LGAs in the state.

Though the voting process went peaceful, the collation was later marred by the disappearance of the Returning Officers from the LGA Collation Centres while the process was still ongoing.

However, doctored results were allegedly announced with all candidates of the ruling APC declared winners and immediately sworn in on the same night.

The elections had sparked protests across the state which led to the destruction of property, and injuries on the side of the protesters from gunshots by security operatives.

It was gathered that those sworn-in have not resumed work in their respective LGAs for fear of attack by angry protesters.

Many believe Hirse resigned to retain his integrity and image arising from the elections which many believed was a sham and a complete subversion of the will of the electorate.

Commending Hirse over his resignation, state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described it as a firm and hard decision.

A statement signed by the party’s publicity secretary, Mr. John Akans said, “Your decision to resign after the most controversial electoral fraud ever conducted in this state and Nigeria has indeed distinguished you from this failed and incompetent leadership of the APC.

“Abraham Lincoln once said, I’m not bound to win, but I am bound to be true, I’m not bound to succeed but I am bound to live by the light, I must stand with anybody that stands right and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.

“You have parted at the right time. Your resignation is a confirmation of your integrity that stands right. To those who are still bowing to Baal, remember the scripture, a man in authority who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that destroys the crops. If therefore you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked because evil people do not know what justice is but those who worship the Lord understand it well.”