The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed victory in all 17 local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau State following chairmanship and councillorship elections conducted on October 9, 2024. The results were announced by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) on Thursday.
During a brief ceremony at PLASIEC headquarters in Jos, Chairman Plangji Cishak declared the election results and presented certificates of return to the newly elected officials. He confirmed that candidates from 11 political parties contested the elections, but ultimately, the PDP emerged triumphant across every LGA.
The PDP candidates who were declared winners are:
1. Stephen Gyang – Barkin Ladi LGA
2. Bernard Alkali – Mikang LGA
3. Nichokas Kemi Nshe – Shendam LGA
4. Joshua Sunday Riti – Bassa LGA
5. Bature Sati – Riyom LGA
6. Silas Patrick Dung – Jos South LGA
7. Markus Nyam – Jos East LGA
8. Salihu Musa – Kanam LGA
9. Christopher Audu Manshep – Qua’anpan LGA
10. Nanfa Nbin – Langtang South LGA
11. John K. Chris – Jos North LGA
12. Amalau Samuel – Bokkos LGA
13. Hamisu Anani – Wase LGA
14. Emmanuel Mwolpun – Mangu LGA
15. Pirfa Jingfa – Langtang North LGA
Despite the PDP’s sweeping victory, the All Progressives Congress (APC) criticized the electoral process. The APC Acting Publicity Secretary, Shittu Bamaiyi, condemned the election, saying, “The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission is a total disappointment and a disaster as far as the local government elections are concerned.”
Bamaiyi accused PLASIEC and the PDP-led government of rigging the election. He claimed that the process was marred by irregularities, including delayed voting and the deliberate under-supply of ballot papers in APC strongholds. “In local government areas such as Kanke, Kanam, Wase, Shendam, Langtang-South, Bokkos, Jos-North, Pankshin, and Bassa, only about 20% of the required ballot papers were provided,” he stated.
The APC urged its supporters to remain calm, vowing to pursue legal actions to ensure justice. “The APC is determined to do everything within the law to ensure that the right things are done,” Bamaiyi added.
Despite these accusations, PLASIEC proceeded with certifying the results, which officially confirmed the PDP’s control of all 17 LGAs.
Here are some of the vote tallies by LGA:
Bassa LGA: APC – 3,319; PDP – 22,303
Mikang LGA: APC – 9,506; PDP – 15,081
Shendam LGA: APC – 26,679; PDP – 34,566
Riyom LGA: Labour Party – 6,659; PDP – 49,342
Jos South LGA: APC – 7,050; Labour Party – 7,967; PDP – 49,342
Jos East LGA: APC – 10,885; PDP – 12,765
Kanam LGA: APC – 29,874; PDP – 71,946
Qua’anpan LGA: APC – 22,924; PDP – 35,264
Jos North LGA: APC – 8,497; PDP – 97,002
Mangu LGA: APC – 15,915; PDP – 64,639
PLASIEC affirmed that the elections were conducted in accordance with legal requirements, marking the PDP’s official control of all local government chairmanships across Plateau State.