Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has described allegations that it plans to bribe the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies with money, ahead of tomorrow’s governorship and House of Assembly elections as a mere distraction.
The state government challenged a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Sulaiman Bakare, who made the allegation to provide proof to substantiate his accusations.
Bakare at a press briefing, in Jalingo, the state capital,
said: “Governor Ishaku has mobilised hundreds of his foot soldiers with huge bags of money, which they used to brazenly induce the security and INEC officials, as well as canvass for votes at the polling units across the state.
“We must all come out and use our Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to show this administration the way out on Saturday. We must come out and vote and stand our ground, to ensure our votes count and our mandate is respected,” Bakare said.
But, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Bala Dan Abu, said: “The APC is a sinking ship with a bunch of confused persons on board and, in their desperation, they are trying to extend their confusion to the PDP. I urge the people to disregard them and not to take them seriously.”
However, INEC spokesperson in the state, Mr. Fabian Yame, described the allegations of inducing its officials as frivolous, as the commission remains neutral and committed to providing a level-playing field for all participants.