PDP alleges destruction of its billboards, posters in Niger

THE Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the defacing of billboards and posters of its candidates in parts of the state by suspected supporters of the opposition party.

   Speaking at a campaign rally in Suleja local council of the state on Sunday, the deputy governorship candidate of the party, Alhaji Isah Liman Kantigi said the act amount to breaching the recent peace agreement signed by presidential candidates of all the parties.

   According to him, “It is very unfortunate that the some people could be going around defacing billboards of PDP candidates in next month’s election around the state and this alone is an act of violence.”

   He therefore stated that the accusation against PDP by the APC in the state of threatening electorates in the state is a defeatist approach, saying it is an attempt to cover up anticipated defeat in the coming general election.

   He pointed out that, “wherever we go to canvass support of the electorate in the state, we always talked to them about our programmes and what we have been able to do for the people.

   And against the backdrop of the allegation that the PDP had embarked on campaign of violence against APC, he said, “we have no reason to flout the peace agreement signed by Mr. President and presidential candidates of other parties recently, we have not been attacked physically hence we don’t embark on campaign of violence because we have not been touched anywhere. 

   “We have toured Zone B and the reception so far has been very encouraging and our strength is now lying on the support of the good people of Zone B in Niger East Senatorial District of the state because they are very organized. 

   “I am shocked about the allegations by the APC against us, we have not threatened anybody, rather it was them that did that at Kontagora last Monday when we flagged off our governorship campaign in the town.

   “In the past Zone A, Niger South Senatorial District had been getting the highest results for our party during elections but now I am very jealous that we are likely going to get more support from Zone B in next month’s general polls,” he concluded.

   Meanwhile, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Alh. Mohammed Umar Nasko, has appealed to his supporters not to retaliate if they were attacked.