PDP: We won’t distract Buhari by going to court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ruled out the possibility of challenging the outcome of the March 28 presidential election in the court in order not to distract Muhammadu Buhari, when he finally assumes office.

Godwin Orubebe, a former minister of Niger Delta and one of the agents of the party at the national collation centre, had said that the party was unimpressed with the conduct of Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC, during the election.

Similarly, Bello Fadile, another PDP agent at the collation centre, refused to sign the result sheet like the candidates of other political parties.

“Whether I sign the result sheet or not, it does not make any difference. We will challenge it when we go to court,” he had said.

In his concession speech, President Goodluck Jonathan urged aggrieved party members to seek legal redress.

“Although some people have expressed mixed feelings about the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I urge those who may feel aggrieved to follow due process based on our constitution and our electoral laws, in seeking redress,” he had said.

But Olisa Metuh, publicity secretary of the party, on Tuesday said that rather than distract Buhari, the party would support him in order to salvage the nation’s democracy.

“We will not distract Buhari; we will help him to salvage democracy. We will offer APC alternative programme. We will be the best opposition, we do hope that the opposition will appreciate democracy,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“PDP recognises that there were irregularities in the presidential election, but we decided that promoting unity is paramount to us. It is the wish of this party that the president-elect will not be disturbed. We will not do anything that will disturb him and we will not condole harassment of our members.”

Metuh, though, said APC lacks what it takes to sustain democracy, saying the PDP would return to power after four years.

“We are convinced that the APC lacks what it takes to sustain our democracy. The PDP is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that it returned to power in the next four years to save the nation’s democracy and re-channel our vision of a greater Nigeria,” he said.

Metuh added that members of the party were being harassed, saying that the country was heading into dictatorship.

“As we address you today, our nation and its citizens are facing a serous threat,” he said.

“We are on the verge of a quick slide into dictatorship and the personal freedom we all enjoy today is about to be obliterated. The PDP has invited you today to address a matter of serious national importance, a grievous development and worrisome trend which is not only inimical to the stability of our nation but also the collective wellbeing of all citizens.”