The chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has raised alarm over plans by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to indulge in all manner of undemocratic, clandestine, and lawless activities aimed at rigging the rerun elections across the seven local government areas: Kaduna South, Chikun, Kauru, Igabi, Kudan, Kachia and Kagarko where elections will be holding tomorrow, 3rd February, 2023.
The party is worried that the APC is determined to collude with some corrupt officials of INEC and the security agencies, yet again, to subvert the will of the people and declare the APC candidates as winners of the respective elections at all costs in all of the areas election is holding.
“We are reliably informed that the APC has perfected plans to buy votes or deployed thugs to unleash mayhem in the circumstances vote buying fails.”
“We have confidence in the resolve of the new Resident Electoral Commissioner to organise a credible election and redeem the image of INEC. However, we have uncovered from insider sources that the APC is working with some corrupt INEC staff to obtain fake copies of Forms EC8A which will be used to concoct and enter predetermined polling unit results which will be swapped with the genuine ones in areas where the APC fails to win or is not comfortable with the margin of lead, while the security agencies provides them with the necessary cover.”
“This is very true, especially in Makera, Igabi, and Kauru Constituencies where the sacked speaker, alongside some senior government officials, are desperately seeking to rob the people of their votes again.”
The commissioner of police and all other heads of the relevant security agencies that will be deployed for the election should take note, and direct all their officers and men to be professional, patriotic, and impartial in the discharge of their responsibility by stopping and arresting any and all persons found around polling units or collation centres sharing money or trying to manipulate the process or cause mayhem.
The PDP also calls on INEC to work on all its staff that will be deployed for this election to exercise maximum restraint and shun any acts of manipulation that will further soil the already battered image of the commission. “The people have become more aware and expect INEC staff to conduct themselves in very professional manner as any attempt to alter election outcomes will be vehemently resisted by the people. ”
He enjoined the general public, especially those in the affected polling units, to come out enmasse and vote for the candidates of their choice without any fear of intimidation. He is assuring everyone of the party’s readiness to emerge victorious and that the PDP will only accept the outcome of the election IF it is adjudged free, fair, and credible.
