PDP beating drums of war in Bayelsa, says APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is worried by the threat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the supplementary governorship election in Bayelsa state.

In a statement on Tuesday, PDP had directed all its members in Bayelsa state to use all democratic means necessary to resist any attempt by the APC to rig the election.

Reacting to the statement, the APC accused the PDP of “beating war drums” ahead of Saturday’s governorship supplementary election in Southern Ijaw local government of Bayelsa state.

“We are aware of the PDP’s ploy to intimidate eligible voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security operatives deployed to ensure peaceful, free and credible supplementary elections in Bayelsa state on Saturday,” Mai Mala Buni, APC national secretary, said.

“While the APC prays for a peaceful, free and credible supplementary election come Saturday, security agencies must be on high alert over the dangerous threats by the PDP to cause a breakdown of law and order in Bayelsa state on Saturday.

“Already, the PDP leadership through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh has issued instructions to PDP members and supporters to ‘go ahead to use all means necessary’ in Saturday’s supplementary election in the Southern Ijaw come Saturday.

“This is among other dangerous threats by the PDP warning of ‘terrible consequences’ to INEC officials and security operatives.

“As the saying goes, history may not repeat itself but it rhymes. It is clear that the PDP is still hung over its old ways of doing things. The days of ‘do or die’ politics is over. Never again will the country return to the PDP ways of election fraud and violence. Change has come. We call on the PDP to embrace the new Nigeria where elections are peaceful and votes of the people count.

“The APC is confident in INEC and security agencies ability to deliver peaceful, free and credible supplementary election come Saturday.

“On election day, we urge Bayelsans and all eligible voters in the state to go about their legitimate activities. We also call on INEC and security operatives to be mindful of the dangerous threats by the PDP while also focusing on its legitimate election duties.

“The APC encourages the people of Bayelsa, particularly Southern Ijaw Local Government to come out during Saturday’s Bayesla supplementary election and vote massively for the APC Governorship Candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva as he is poised to deliver on APC’s Change Agenda as well as the dividends of democracy that has eluded the state.

“Looking back at the last seven months under the APC, it is clear that the party is on the right track to delivering on its Change Agenda. It is the right of Bayelsans to abandon a sinking ship and join one that is smooth-sailing.”