PDP: Despite Buhari’s warning, APC desperate to rig Edo election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of desperation to rig the Edo state governorship election.

The party said it was aware that President Muhammadu Buhari had warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election, yet some APC members and electoral officials were plotting to manipulate the result of the exercise.

It also accused the ruling party of importing thugs, but said Edo people would resist any “nefarious act”.

“We are aware that President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the INEC Chairman in private to ensure a free, fair and credible process in Edo State. We are also aware that the president has also warned the relevant security agencies to ensure a preservation of the peace in the state during the election,” Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the party, said in a statement.

“However, despite these warnings, we have uncovered several plots between members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the election results.

“These plots include: distribution of fake results sheets to polling units in different areas of the state; use of local government collation officers to write fictitious results on real results sheets of some local government areas; use of thugs brought into the state from other states to harass and intimidate the citizens of Edo state; use of security agencies to arrest, harass and intimidate members and supporters of the PDP; and to provide security cover for members of the APC to execute their nefarious plots.”

PDP said it was important to sound a note of warning again to INEC and APC that the Edo people were united in their determination to vehemently resist any attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

“We urge INEC to ensure that its staff abides by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as Amended) as well as its electoral manual and guidelines,” it said.

“We urge the relevant stakeholders to allow the Edo people to freely elect the leader they desire for the next four (4) years and to allow the will of the people to prevail.”