The Chairman of Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC), Dr. Philip Duwe, on Monday said insecurity in some parts of the state was responsible for the delay in the conduct of the local government council election in the state.
Duwe, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Jalingo, said the commission and the government were willing to conduct council elections, but the lingering security in the state was hampering the exercise.
He explained that the commission had already done its budget which has been approved by the State House of Assembly, but was waiting for signal from security agencies as to when it will be convenient to hold elections.
“As a commission, we are well prepared. Our budget and activity profile are ready. The only thing we are waiting for is the instruction from the Governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“You all know that Taraba has come under serious security challenge and the Governor can only give instruction for the conduct of election based on security report from security agents.
“As we speak, a lot of people who were displaced are still in IDPs camps especially in southern and Northern parts of the state which was the worst hit in the crisis.
“Even though people are agitating for elections to be conducted in the local council, we cannot risk the lives of the people and disenfranchised others in the process,” he said.
Blueprint reported that the tenure of the elected council chairmen had elapsed since 2019 and the state government has been appointing Caretaker Committee to administer the councils.
