The Forum of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship and councillorship candidates in Plateau State has urged the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to conduct the 2026 local government elections before October 10, warning that failure to do so could create a vacuum in the state’s democratically elected local government structures.
The candidates made the demand on Wednesday in Jos during a world press conference addressed by the leader of the forum, Hon. Sylvanus Dashe Datong, as the October 10 expiration date for the tenure of the current local government administrations approaches.
The forum said the current elected structures across the 17 local government areas were inaugurated on October 10, 2024, following the local government elections held on October 9, 2024.
It argued that under the provisions of the Constitution and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2024, PLASIEC has a responsibility to conduct elections to replace the existing structures before the expiration of their tenure.
The candidates specifically cited Sections 19 and 23 of the PLASIEC Law, 2024, saying the provisions set out the timeframe for conducting local government elections and the duration of the tenure of elected council officials.
According to the forum, “The combined effects of Sections 19 (1) (2) and Section 23 (1) (a) (b) raise questions as to the actions and inactions of PLASIEC regarding the conduct of the 2026 Plateau State Local Government Elections.”
The PDP candidates said they had participated in the party’s chairmanship and councillorship primaries held between March 11 and 12, 2026, in reliance on the timetable released by PLASIEC.
They said their records and other relevant details were subsequently submitted to the commission in preparation for the election initially scheduled for September 9, 2026.
However, the forum expressed concern that PLASIEC had yet to announce a fresh date for the polls.
“Even as we address you all today, on 30th September 2026, PLASIEC has failed or refused to set out a timetable and a new date for the polls,” the statement said.
The candidates also dismissed the suggestion that a Plateau State High Court judgment delivered on March 13, 2026, should prevent PLASIEC from conducting the elections.
They said the case was instituted by Hamisu Anani against the Attorney-General of Plateau State, adding that PLASIEC was not a party to the suit.
“PLASIEC, which is neither a party to nor bound by the said judgment, cannot renege on its constitutional mandate based on the shallow grounds of such judgment,” the forum stated.
It noted, however, that the judgment is currently the subject of appeals before the Court of Appeal and said it would refrain from making further comments on the substance of the case.
The candidates thereafter visited the PLASIEC headquarters in Jos, where they carried placards bearing various inscriptions demanding the immediate conduct of the local government elections.
The forum also submitted a formal letter to the commission, outlining its concerns and demands regarding the delayed polls.
The candidates called on PLASIEC to “save and sustain democracy in Plateau State” by taking immediate steps to conduct the elections, while also urging the Plateau State Government to provide the commission with all lawful support required to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
“PLASIEC should make deliberate and conscious efforts in the next nine days from today and conduct a free, fair and credible local government election in Plateau State to avoid throwing Plateau democracy into chaos,” the forum said.
The PDP candidates further warned that failure to conduct the elections before October 10 could result in what they described as “an unconstitutional vacuum” in the local government structures.
They said they remained prepared to participate in the elections and urged PLASIEC to announce a new date without further delay.
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