The Chairman, Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission Dr. Philip Duwe, on Monday, blamed the delay in the conduct of the Local Government Council Elections on lingering security challenges in the state. Duwe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo.
According to him, the commission had already done its budget which was already approved by the state house of assembly but was largely waiting for signals from security agents given the level of crisis that had rocked the state.
“As a commission, we have already done our budget and it has been approved by Taraba State House of Assembly.
“We have also done our activity profile, the only thing we are waiting for is the instruction from the governor which will be based on the signal from security agents.
“You all know that Taraba has come under serious security challenges both from the north, central and southern zones,” he said.
Duwe explained that a lot of people were still displaced and living in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps, saying they would be disenfranchised if elections were conducted at the moment.
“As I speak with you, a lot of people are still displaced and have not returned to their ancestral homes especially in southern Taraba which was the worse hit,” he noted.
While thanking the politicians who were already displaying posters for the council polls for their willingness to participate in the process, Duwe urged them to join hands with the government and security agencies to restore permanent peace to communities.
The chairman, who thanked God for a reduction in the level of crisis in the state, commended the media for the objective reportage of the peace process.
Duwe expressed optimism that with the concerted efforts being made by all the stakeholders towards peace, the commission may likely commence the process of conducting council elections by the end of the first quarter of 2020.
It is pertinent to note that the tenure of the elected Local Government Council chairmen had elapsed and the state government had appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen, who are currently piloting the affairs of the 16 local government councils in the state.
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