AYODELE AJANI
The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it has noted the incessant
blackmail and threats against the opposition and law abiding Nigerians
by the Buhari Presidency, through the Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and surmised that Nigerians will not buckle
under any jackboots.
The
PDP in a press release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr
Kola Ologbondiyan said “the efforts being made by the All Progressives
Congress (APC) to heat up the polity, inject crisis, undermine the
general elections, then carry out their heinous plots to use mercenaries
from Niger Republic to unleash mayhem on our nation and blame it on the
opposition, having realized that there is no way President Muhammadu
Buhari can win in a peaceful, free and fair election”.
The
PDP further “draws the attention of the international community to the
land mines being set on the way of credible elections by the APC,
including the clamp down on opposition, foisting of President Buhari’s
relation, Amina Zakari, as head of INEC’s collation center, the refusal
by President Buhari to sign the amendment to the Electoral Act, the
creation of illegal geo-spatial centers and polling units for allocation
of fictitious votes for the APC, listing of APC supporters as election
officials and the opening of our borders to mercenaries to participate
in our electoral process.
The
party said : “it is now clear to all that the target of the APC is to
demonize and cow the opposition, instill fear in Nigerians, undermine
our democratic institutions, attempt to subjugate the citizenry and pave
the way for the actualization of a self-succession plan for President
Buhari.
“The PDP, as a
political party with the highest demography of members and supporters,
in their millions, across our nation, therefore states in unequivocal
terms, that Nigerians will never allow themselves to be blackmailed,
intimidated or cowed by the APC into relinquishing their
constitutionally guaranteed rights, to freely chose their leaders, no
matter the threats.
“The
PDP stands with Nigerians, across the board, in demanding for a free,
fair, transparent and credible general election. This position must be
respected, as the citizens of our country will spare no thoughts in
vehemently confronting and squarely resisting, head to head, any attempt
by anybody, whosoever he may be, to subvert our electoral process.
“It
is incontrovertible that Nigerians have reached a consensus in rallying
behind the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in this election. Any
result that does not reflect the wishes and aspiration of the people
will be completely resisted.
“The
PDP calls on international community to note that the consequences of
such resistance in a country of over 200 million people, who have made
up their minds for a new leadership, is capable of triggering huge
humanitarian crisis not only in Nigeria but also in the West African
sub-region.
“PDP
therefore urges all institutions responsible for the general election to
save our nation from collapse by working towards guaranteeing a
credible, free, fair and transparent election. This is all we seek”.
