Bauchi APC elders urge restraint ahead of extra polls

A group, Concerned Elders of APC and Senior Citizens of Bauchi State, has called for restraint by contending parties and their supporters ahead of the supplementary elections slated for March 23.

Addressing a press conference in Bauchi, chairman of the forum, Alhaji Yarima Giade, lamented that since the declaration of the election as inconclusive, some people and groups had resorted to campaign of calumny against INEC, other parties and individuals within and outside the state.

According to the group, the actions and utterances of those groups could cause breach of peace being enjoyed in the state since the coming of the APC administration in the state.

“In the aftermath of the Bauchi State gubernatorial election declared as inconclusive by INEC, a body duly authorised to so act in compliance with the law, so many things have been said. Some deserve response and others do not, depending upon who said it.

“We will not stand aside and see the public being misled and dragged towards the path of anarchy because our primary desire is not only in the success of our party at the polls but the general peace and wellbeing of the people,” the group stated.

It lamented that it had observed with dismay, how some people were trying to paint INEC black over the decision, despite citing the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act which was the reason for the decision.

The group also faulted the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and the PDP governorship candidate over their stands on the issue.