Rivers rerun: PDP lashes APC for declaring war
- The Makarfi-led faction of the PDP has condemned what it said is the declaration of war by APC over Saturday’s rerun elections in Rivers state.
- The PDP regretted that APC was encouraging violence at a time they should be suing for peace
- The party said APC had nothing to offer that is why it has resorted to violence
The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for declaring war in the upcoming rerun election in Rivers state.
The party said the open declaration of war by the ruling party reaffirms their earlier position that the actions and body language of the APC since it took over power in May 2015 shows it was moving towards erasing democracy and installing dictatorship in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: 6 things to expect from the Rivers rerun election
This was in reaction to comments by the national chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and some governors elected under the party during a campaign rally in Port Harcourt.
While addressing the crowd, Oyegun told party supporters to retaliate any PDP action. “If they slap you, slap them back. As you can see, we came in full force, the whole federal might is here,” he reportedly said.
Governor Alhaji Umar Ganduje of Kano state was also said to have incited APC members to fight back.
In a statement signed by Prince Dayo Adeyeye, PDP spokesperson for the faction, the party said these comments were a declaration of war by the APC leaders.
According to the party, the APC has nothing more to offer Nigerians, that is why they have resorted to war and attacks on the people.
READ ALSO: PDP alleges plot by Chibuike Amaechi to kill Rivers Gov Wike
“This is very sad and a complete reversal of all the democratic experience we have built and nurtured in Nigeria in the last 16 years. A political rally which normally should have been an opportunity to sell its programme and manifesto was instead turned into a call for war and violence by the APC leaders.
"We will not fold our arms and allow the APC and its supporters destroy our hard earned democracy. We will not stop but continue to alert Nigerians and the international community to the danger the ruling party is posing to our democracy,” the statement read.
PDP called on members, supporters and the electorate in Rivers state to remain calm and also come out en mass and vote for the party.
The party also urged the police and other security agencies to ensure that Saturday’s elections are not only free and fair but also very peaceful, orderly and without any violence.
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“Dictatorship, avarice and anarchy that has characterized this APC led government since inception may last for a season but freedom and liberty will last for eternity,” PDP added.
After months of keeping Rivers state people waiting, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) finally fixed Saturday, December 10, for the re-run national and state assembly elections.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have condemned Oyegun for promoting election violence while calling on him to resign for threatening the nations democracy.
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