The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no place in the November 16 governorship election in Bayelsa State following the disqualification of its candidate, David Lyon and
his running mate, by two courts of competent jurisdiction.
The party said the development pointed to “nothing but victory for
democracy and the fact that manipulators cannot continue to have their
way in our electoral process.”
PDP charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
to immediately delist the APC from the ballot as any vote cast for the
party would be a wasted vote, since the court judgments have made it
clear that the APC is not in the election.
The statement by the national publicity secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, reads: ? “The PDP invites INEC to note that no fewer than two decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction have negated the participation of the APC in the race.
“The first was the judgment disqualifying the APC candidates over the
presentation of false documents by the deputy governorship candidate,
Biobarakuma Degi Eremienyo, which was followed by another judgment,
nullifying the entirety of the APC primary that produced the candidates.
“It is therefore trite law that given the circumstances that have
entangled the candidature of the APC, the party, accordingly, has no
place in the November 16 governorship election and cannot lay claim to
any vote.
“Notwithstanding the disqualification, the PDP calls on the police and
the military to immediately invite David Lyon and other APC leaders for
questioning over the recent gruesome attack and killing of PDP
supporters by APC thugs in Nembe.
“The party condemns the attack by APC agents as cowardly and a clear case
of crime against humanity, which must not be politicized under any
guise.
“Information available to the PDP shows that the attackers were known
supporters of the APC, who have also been seen on several occasions in
functions with APC leaders including the disqualified candidates.
“Our party therefore stands in vehement rejection of any attempt to
politicize the attack, insisting that the masterminds, facilitators and
executors must be swiftly brought to book on the full terms prescribed
by our criminal laws.”
