THE decision of the Zamfara State Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge the victory of Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari and the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) has been described as a classic example of double standards. When Shinkafi congratulated Yari for his victory in the gubernatorial election, many people assumed that the governor had accepted in good faith the defeat from his son-in-law. Before the election, it was believed that the election was going to be a stiff contest between the ANPP under the leadership of the former governor, Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima, and Shinkafi, who was Yerimas deputy for eight years. But it came as a shock, when despite the governors congratulatory message; the ruling party announced its resolution to challenge the victory of the ANPP before an election petition tribunal. Both parties had worked hard to win the votes. When results of the election started coming from the wards and councils it was obvious that the ANPP was leading, some top government officials resolved to use the state radio to dismiss the early results released by some returning officers in the state. This created tension in some parts of the state where PDP believed that its supporters had lost hope. The Managing Director of the State Radio Alhaji Ibrahim Garba Tunau, who had aired the election result ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was later arrested by the Police. His action made the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) fine the radio station N500 million. The statement notified the public that out of the 14 local councils of the state, the PDP won in 10, while INEC had only received the results of four councils at the time. The governor who congratulated the governor-elect and his son in-law in a special broadcast, prayed that the outcome of the election shall lead to greater peace, stability and prosperity in the state. He also congratulated those who won their elections in the state across the ANPP and PDP. While wishing them Gods guidance in the discharge of their responsibilities he urged all PDP supporters to endure the loss, which he described as a clear indication of our democratic process at work. He said that he would remain dedicated to the progress and development of the state and thanked PDP members and his supporters who worked for his re-election. However, the state PDP chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Mallaha, said the party was not contented with the results of the election as declared by the INEC. He pointed out that the party has concluded arrangements to challenge the victory with the results of the National Assembly and State Assembly polls. He said that the development is part of a resolution reached at the state party executive meeting, which was attended by the governor, his deputy and other top PDP elders in the state. The development is seen as the beginning of a new faceoff between PDP and ANPP. Meanwhile, the decision to contest the results of the gubernatorial election, which Shinkafi accepted at the coalition centre, has been described as double standard. Shinkafi had promptly signed the election result sheet for the governorship election when the PDP agents at the centre declined to assent the result. Few days after the declaration, the PDP state chairman alleged that some supporters of the PDP had embarked on the vandalisation of PDP houses and properties by the members and supporters of the ANPP in the state. He called on security operatives in the state to take measures to avoid post-governorship election violence in the state. There were reports that properties belonging to the PDP supporters or government were destroyed by the party hoodlums. The state Publicity secretary of the ANPP, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad Birnin Magaji described the allegation of vandalisation as baseless. He said that the ruling PDP government used Police in abducting some returning officers to government house and altered the result of the elections. There were unconfirmed speculations and claims that the INEC Returning Officer for Bungudu local council during the governorship polls, Mainasara Nasiru was abducted, taken to Government House, Gusau and threatened to alter the result in favour of the PDP. It was said that the Police also abducted a collation officer of Bungudu West state assembly constituency, Mr Abdulbasid Sudais of University of Abuja and result of the constituency was altered at Government House, Gusau. In a report submitted to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the abducted Returning Officer, explained how he was abducted and forced to alter the results. He noted that despite the alteration, he announced the result using one of the duplicate copies, which contained the original results of the elections in Bungudu council. Despite the claims and accusations of alteration, the governor-elect is already looking ahead on how to face the challenges in the state. The challenges before the governor elect are numerous. There is the need to carry everybody along including some emirs that openly kicked against his candidature and party as well. He will also think of how to revive students scholarship allowances, which was about to become part of the history of the state in the out going administration. He will also be faced with the task of diversifying and seeking new avenues and means to improve the state internally generated revenue; intensify measures to curtail the high rate of poverty. The infrastructure of the state deserves attention any day and the governor-elect will consider the poor road network to some council headquarters.Some stakeholders have recommended the completion of some on-going important projects started by the out going government.
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