Gombe PDP Labels Local Government Elections a ‘Mockery of Democracy

The Gombe State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally condemned the state’s recent local government elections, characterizing the process as a failure of democratic standards and a display of poor transparency.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, the opposition party, which boycotted the electoral process, alleged that the proceedings were heavily flawed. Party representatives described the election as a “mockery,” claiming it lacked a level playing field and failed to provide the necessary conditions for genuine political competition.

The PDP further alleged that the exercise was marred by widespread irregularities, noting that ballot boxes were not properly distributed to designated polling units. These claims echo the party’s criticism of the previous local government elections held in 2024 under the current state administration. Following the polls, the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) had announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) swept all 11 chairmanship seats and all 114 councillorship positions.

Beyond the election results, the PDP criticized Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration over recent urban policy decisions. The party expressed strong disapproval of ongoing state-led demolition exercises, suggesting these actions have fueled unnecessary tension between the government and the affected residents.

Additionally, the opposition party condemned the recent eviction of Gombawa Motors from the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo Mega Motor Park. The PDP alleged that the expulsion was politically motivated, characterizing it as a punitive measure against the company for exercising its civic and political rights.

The party’s leadership has called on the state government to shift its approach by fostering a more inclusive political environment, upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens, and ensuring that governance is conducted with greater fairness and respect for democratic principles.