“The election that took place in Ba’ap, Qua’an Pan LGA headquarters on Thursday, August 15, 2024, was to determine the party’s candidate for the upcoming local government elections in Plateau State. The process started peacefully but quickly degenerated into violence after the TIC Chairman, one Michael Bulus, made a statement.
Delegates and party supporters who were denied access to the venue forced their way in and violently attacked Audu once the result was known. They accused him of rigging the election by selecting his loyalists as delegates and preventing genuine delegates from participating in the process.
The uprising led to scenes of unheard-of violence, with the apparent frustration and anger of the protesters revealing themselves in acts of extreme brutality towards Hon Audu and even the electoral commission officials, who were also assaulted.
This violence during a local government election raises questions about integrity of the democratic process and highlights the critical issues related to respect for individual rights, transparency of elections and electoral justice. These events are a poignant illustration of the tense political climate and internal struggles that can come to light during the electoral process.
It is imperative that measures be taken to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The stakes of democracy and social peace are too high to be compromised by acts of violence and political manipulation.
In this political turmoil, it is essential to remain vigilant, to defend fundamental democratic principles and to promote a healthy and respectful electoral culture. The lessons learned from these events must serve to strengthen our commitment to promoting authentic democracy and constructive citizen participation.”