- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to maintain neutrality in the forthcoming election in Anambra
- The PDP says the Anambra governorship election should not go the same way like previous inconclusive ones witnessed in parts of the country
- The party also alleges plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a strong warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as security agencies to ensure the governorship election slated for Saturday, November 18 is seen to be free and fair.
The warning came less than 24 hours after former President Goodluck Jonathan led governors on the platform of the party to campaign for its candidate, Oseloka Obaze, in the election.
The party urged the electoral umpire and the security agents drafted to the state to be neutral during the exercise.
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A statement signed by the national spokesperson of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, described the election as a litmus test for INEC and “another opportunity for the All Progressive Congress (APC) to redeem itself from the culture of impunity, inconclusive elections and rigging as exhibited in previous elections in Edo, Ondo and other by-elections in the country.”
The PDP, which condemned the recent withdrawal of the personal security of Willie Obiano, the Anambra state governor and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), called the action a clear signal that the police is working to favour some individuals in the state or destabilize the exercise.
“In view of the above, we are again, sounding a note of warning that we will not accept any manipulation of results in Anambra state.
“The INEC and all security agencies deployed for the election must remain neutral and unbiased before, during and after the election.
“We insist that this election in Anambra state and others henceforth must be free, fair, credible and transparent. Anything short of these will not be acceptable to us.
“We call on the people of Anambra state to protect their PVC and come out enmass to vote for our governorship candidate, Mr Henry Oseloka Obaze, and his running mate, Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe.
“We also urge the electorate in Anambra to vote and stay to protect their votes from polling units to the collation centres in order to scuttle the planned replacement of authentic result sheets by the APC.
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“Finally, we call on all election monitors and observers to maintain vigilance during the period of the election.
“The success of our electoral processes depends largely on the hard-work of observers and monitors exposing election riggers and vote theft,” the statement said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that a group of Anambra elders under the aegis of 'Concerned Anambra State Leaders' wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari alleging plans by his party - the All Progressives Congress (APC) - to compromise the outcome of the state's election.
The letter alleged that there are plans by some APC stalwarts both at the state, zonal and federal levels to rig the forthcoming election in favour of the party.
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Source: Naija.ng