Bayelsa elections: PDP warns of rigging, dire consequences
By; Jacob Onjewu Dickson.
Ahead of Saturday’s Bayelsa state governorship run-off election in Southern Ijaw, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again rallied its formation in the state and particularly Southern Ijaw Local Government, to use all means necessary in a democracy to resist any move by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to rig the election.
The party said it has since been made aware of plots by the APC to use compromised security operatives and INEC officials to attempt to produce fictitious votes and declare itself winner, but vowed that any such unholy bid would be greeted with vehement resistance and dire consequences.
The PDP leadership in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh on Tuesday, reiterated that Southern Ijaw is a well-known PDP stronghold and that it would never accept any results that do not reflect the will of the people.
“We issue this statement as direct notice to the APC and their compromised INEC, military and other security operatives who have been stationed to ostensibly assist to produce fictitious votes with which the APC intends to declare itself winner.
“Let it be known to all that the PDP is fully mobilized for Saturday’s supplementary election. Our members across Southern Ijaw have been stationed in every polling unit, every collation center and every exit and entry point in the area, and have been directed to use all mean available in a democracy to stop the APC in their trail.
“Southern Ijaw Local Government is a well-known stronghold of the PDP and we will not in any way accept anything short of free, fair and credible elections, abundantly reflecting the will of the people. Anything to the contrary will attract terrible consequences. We restate our resolve that never again would the PDP allow itself to be manipulated out in any election at any level, no matter the intimidation by the APC-led administration.
“Consequent upon our loss of confidence in INEC and security agencies, we hereby make public our instruction to our members and supporters not to leave the polling area after casting their votes but to remain alert within the distance provided by the law and go ahead to use all means necessary to defend and protect their votes, should there be any attempt by anybody to rig the process.
“The PDP will intently monitor and keep records of activities, including all votes cast in every polling unit in Southern Ijaw and our members will not hesitate to unleash a legitimate anger, if at any point in collation, fictitious figures appear. In this regard, any INEC official who becomes a tool in the hands of evil will have him or herself to blame.
“Finally, we call on the international community and all well-meaning Nigerians to note the ceaseless undemocratic activities of the APC-led Federal Government and to hold it responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order during the Saturday’s supplementary election in Bayelsa State”.
