Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party has threatened that it may not participate in the 2019 general elections unless it gets the assurance that what happened in Ekiti State governorship election would not be repeated.
The National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, spoke in Abuja on Thursday when he granted audience to a joint delegation of International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute at the party’s national headquarters.
Secondus accused the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies of being partial during the conduct of the Ekiti governorship election.
He said the main opposition party did not contest against the All Progressives Congress or any other political party in the state but contested against the commission and security agencies.
He said, “Our opinion is that INEC and security agents were directly involved in this manipulation.
“As a matter of fact, we did not contest against the APC; we contested against the security agencies and INEC. Nigerians and the international community are aware of this fact because of what happened in the state.”
Secondus disclosed that the PDP was consulting whether to participate in the 2019 general elections or not, “because you are participating against security agencies and INEC who have colluded to alter the figures even after you have voted. So, we are in a dilemma.”
According to him, if nothing is done to restore the confidence of ordinary Nigerians and other political parties, it may be difficult to accept the results of 2019 general elections, no matter what the outcome may be, noting that such may be a recipe for crisis.
He alleged that the state was militarised before and during the election, alleging that the leaders of the party were harassed and arrested and detained in the state.
He said, “Our members were harassed, arrested and detained overnight.”
Punch
