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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation has slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for whipping up sentiments and inciting violence ahead of the scheduled February 14 and 28 general elections.
Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the APC’s penchant for propaganda and threat of violence was mind-boggling.
According to Fani-Kayode, “We are not, at all, surprised about the false alarm raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the PDP-controlled Federal Government is planning to declare a six-month state of emergency across the land. It is characteristic of the opposition to make spurious allegations in the build-up to the scheduled February general elections.
“The APC’s penchant for propaganda and threat of violence is mind-boggling. The narrative weaved together by the opposition party is disingenuous and it shows how desperate it has become in its impossible bid to dislodge the PDP-controlled Federal Government.
“It is clear that the APC now knows full well that a crushing defeat awaits it at the February 14 presidential election; otherwise why would it embark on this flight of illusion about a purported plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to precipitate violence (as a) prelude to the declaration of a state of emergency?
“We state categorically that the PDP is ready for the February 14 presidential elections and all subsequent elections; and is therefore not party to any imagined ploy to postpone or cancel the election.
“At no time has the PDP ever had the power to postpone or cancel elections. Moreover, the PDP has been consistent in stating its readiness for the forthcoming elections.
“We urge our numerous supporters and indeed all Nigerians to discountenance the panic-driven shenanigans of the APC.
“The inalienable right of every eligible Nigerian to participate in the political process of our great country is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended and the relevant Electoral Laws.”
He added that: “The PDP has neither the right nor inclination to dictate to anyone, including members of the opposition party, how he or she participates in the electoral process.
“If the APC is afraid that its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has fallen foul of the laws of the land, instead of crying wolf, he should submit himself to the nearest police for interrogation and prosecution.
“We call on all Nigerians to be vigilant, because by issuing this outlandish statements, the APC has unwittingly exposed its plot to whip up sentiments and incite the people to violence.
“The forthcoming election is not and should not be a do-or-die affair. We must state clearly that we are not impressed or in the least bit intimidated by their constant, boastful and empty threats. All the promises of violence in the world will not stop us from shaming them on February 14.
“The PDP is battle-ready and we are confident of victory in a free, fair and credible election on February 14 and 28.”
Also, the national leadership of the PDP said it had observed a deliberate plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disenfranchise its members and supporters in Lagos State by refusing to release their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to them.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday, said the party had observed that officials of INEC are working hand in gloves with the APC in the state to frustrate the distribution of the PVCs in PDP strongholds as well as to non-indigenes in the state.
The PDP described the development as “unacceptable, illegal and part of the criminal plot by the APC to hold on to power in the face of its dwindling popularity among the people who are now eager to vote en masse for the PDP and end APC’s dictatorial rule in the state.
“While we restate our commitment to peaceful and credible elections on February 14, we will not accept any attempt to scheme us out in any state or states controlled by the APC,” the PDP noted.
The party said the APC had been jittery over the increasing popularity of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Jimi Agbaje and now seeks to compromise the electoral process by manipulating the distribution of the PVCs.
Stating that INEC had refused to check the trend despite repeated concerns raised by its state chapter and other well meaning Nigerians, the PDP said the onus now lies with the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and the leadership of the commission to prove their innocence by immediately intervening and ensuring that all eligible voters in the state received their PVCs accordingly.
The PDP also demanded that INEC thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that all those involved are sanctioned in order to restore confidence in the electoral process in the state.
The PDP has also described APC claims that it is plotting to scuttle the general election as unfounded.
The party further said the APC claims of plots to scuttle the 2015 general election as a clear confirmation that the opposition party is not ready for the polls.
Metuh said the APC and its presidential candidate, Buhari are now frustrated that they could not present an alternative to the PDP and President Jonathan and as such, have resorted to fabrication of baseless stories in an attempt to heat-up the polity and divert attention from their failure.
According to PDP, “Having run a superior campaign with its record of achievements and road map for a more prosperous Nigeria, the PDP reassured that it is ready for the elections and urged Nigerians to turn out enmasse and vote for it on February 14.
It also advised the APC to concede defeat noting that its campaigns have already exposed its emptiness and lack of integrity to Nigerians.
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