The Bauchi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Local Government Councils Elections scheduled for August 17, 2024, labeling the process a “charade.”
SDP also accused the electoral body, Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) of manipulating the process in favour of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This decision was disclosed during a press conference led by the State Secretary, Comrade Nasir DanBauchi, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Conference Hall.
DanBauchi criticized the State Government’s approach to the election, which follows the Supreme Court’s ruling granting autonomy to Local Government Councils.
He alleged that BASIEC is set to manipulate the process to favor the government’s preferred candidates, undermining the integrity of the election.
“We have observed that this so-called election will be nothing more than a discredited spectacle, orchestrated to impose government-selected puppets as Local Government Chairmen and Councilors,” DanBauchi declared.
He further accused BASIEC of intentionally stifling strong opposition parties, like the SDP, in the electoral process to legitimize the government’s agenda of installing loyalists.
DanBauchi condemned the actions of BASIEC as unconstitutional and a threat to democratic principles, urging all Nigerians to resist these tactics.
He claimed that BASIEC had failed to provide the necessary documents and notices to the SDP, while other political parties appeared to be selectively favored to give the election a veneer of credibility.
The SDP has called for the immediate abolition of all State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and suggested that a neutral body, such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), should take over the conduct of Local Government elections to ensure fairness and transparency.
DanBauchi argued that only a few days were allocated for critical tasks such as the collection and submission of nomination forms, further limiting the participation of opposition parties.
The SDP’s withdrawal, he asserted, is a protest against these irregularities and an appeal for a more genuine democratic process.
 announced its withdrawal from the upcoming LG Elections scheduled for August 17, 2024, labeling the process a "charade."){kind=link}