• Kano deputy gov rejects reasons for postponement

YOBE State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek for another shift of the March 28 and April 11 general elections in four northern states – Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Gombe to April 4 and 11 this year.

   Also, Kano State Deputy Governor and governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has accused the PDP of misleading Nigerians by the reasons given for postponing the general elections. 

   The alleged plot to shift the polls dates was contained in a press statement signed by APC secretary in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe, made available to newsmen in Damaturu yesterday.

   Bakabe, in the statement said: “We are concerned about the phony plan by PDP to lobby for a shift of the general elections in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Gombe states from March 28th and April 11th to 4th and 18th April to pave way for PDP to rig the elections.

   “The party condemns in strong terms the I’ll-conceived plan for a serial rape of democracy in Nigeria by a party that foresees ultimate loss and afraid of facing the electorate at the polls.”

   He also added that the plot to shift the elections was, “to massively deploy security operatives to the states to intimidate, disenfranchise and rig the election reminiscent of the Ekiti State governorship poll last year.”

   Bakabe in the statement also alleged that; “this obnoxious, dangerous and undemocratic plan was aimed to augment and make up for the anticipated poor performance of PDP in other states in the forthcoming elections.”

   The party however urged security agencies to resist being used for selfish political agenda that is detrimental to Nigeria’s democracy and national interest.

   Ganduje observed that for ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to deliberately tear his membership card of the PDP is a clear testimony of the party’s total failure in governance.

   A statement signed by Director of Press, Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu stated that Ganduje, who expressed displeasure over the rescheduled elections posited that the ruling party can only shift the goal post but cannot change the choice of Nigerians.