PDP alleges plot to overturn elections in Rivers, A’Ibom, others

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare its candidate, Victor Okezie Ikpazu winner of the Abia State governorship election.

At a joint press conference yesterday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Senator-elect, Mao Ohuabunwa, the ‎party said the Returning Officer for Abia State governorship election, Professor Benjamin Ozumba was erred in declaring the election inconclusive based on the number of voters said to have been disenfranchised.

INEC had set aside April 25 for governorship supplementary election between PDP and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti.

Although PDP said it was ready for the supplementary election, it said INEC ought to have declared Ikpeazu the governor-elect based on the number of votes scored by the candidates.

According to the party, INEC declared the election inconclusive based on the difference between the total number of registered voters and votes cast during the election.

During the April 11 governorship poll in Abia State, the number of registered voters was put at 1, 217, 632 while 439, 454 people cast their votes. INEC allegedly declared 179, 000 disenfranchised.

But Senator Abaribe said “INEC went ‎fishing beyond people who came to vote. We want INEC to take another look at the result and declare Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu winner of the governorship election in Abia State”.

He said PDP has petitioned the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and will visit Abia State to register the protest.

PDP also blamed the military for allegedly working with INEC officials to deny PDP victory in Abia, Imo and Taraba states.

And addressing a press conference after a marathon meeting with its governors and senators-‎elect on Abuja, the party also warned the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) against what it called desperate attempt to use the courts to sack all elected governors of the PDP.

In an eleven-page communique issued at the end of the meeting, ‎ the PDP frowned at what it called ‘the unprecedented level of intimidation, harassment and undue persecution of the party members since the INEC declaration of the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.‎”

The communique which was read on behalf of the meeting by
Senator George Thompson Sekibo, further stated:

“The meeting commends the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his statesmanly disposition in the sustenance of democracy and peace in the country.

*The meeting calls on INEC to be forthright and impartial in the handling of the various elections pending in Abia, Imo and Taraba states.

* The meeting vehemently frowns at the shameless undemocratic ways and means being displayed by the outgoing APC lawmakers in Ekiti State towards effecting an unconstitutional change in government.

* That the meeting warns the APC is planning to use the Tribunals to truncate and subvert the freely given mandate by the people in the states and constituencies.

* The meeting expressed deep concerns at the plans by the APC to make the country a one-party state using crude and underhand, undemocratic practice and thus reverse the gains of the PDP led administration.

* The meeting congratulates all the winners on the platform of the PDP in the elections and urge them to discharge their duties and form a formidable opposition that can redirect the fortunes of the country and sustain the gains of the present democratic era led by President Goodluck Jonathan.

* The meeting stressed the importance of unity, peace and harmony in the party for effectiveness in its new role and warned that it will not condone agents of APC working as fifth columnists to destabilize the leadership of the party.

* The meeting commends all members of the party for their unflinching support and belief in the party even in the face of intimidation, pernicious violence and untold harassment.

* The meeting assures all members of the party across the country of adequate protection in the exercise of their democratic franchise always”