By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
As build up to Kaduna local elections schedule for Saturday heightens, Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSICOM) has announced the suspension of elections in four Local Government Areas of the state.
The affected local government areas includes Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Kajuru and Zangon Kataf LGAs respectively.
Chairman of the commission, Mrs Saratu Dikko Audu who disclosed this at a press conference in Kaduna alleged that the affected LGs are troubled by insecurity.
“I’ve been relaibly informed by security architecture within the state that security reports in the state would make it impossible to peacefully conduct the local Government council’s elections in a number of Local Government areas”.
“Consequently, in order to protect lives and property, including those of our election staff and materials, we have had to suspend the election in a number of Local government areas and rescheduled the election in these local Government areas for a later date”, she said.
She however disclosed that the election in the affected LGAs has been rescheduled for 25th September 2021, when security apparatus would be able to mobilized troops for security of lives and property.
However, Inside sources in some of the affected LGs in Southern Kaduna, expressed suspicion and doubt over the reasons for suspending elections in some LGs, using security report as a yardstick.
The sources recalled the recent court judgement obtained by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), prohibited the State from putting interim caretaker committee in any LG unable to conduct elections for any reason.
The sources who spoke in confidence, said they’ve no confidence in the alleged security report, adding that Zaria and several other local government areas had security issues recently but were not affected by the suspension
