Ondo State Governor and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko Tuesday challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that elections in the country are conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.
According to Mimiko, though the present administration under Buhari is seven months old, the only change needed from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) is a free, fair and credible election.
Mimiko, who paid a private visit to his Bayelsa State counterpart, Governor Seriake Dickson at the State Government House, said conducting a credible election is the greatest change that Nigerians would applaud.
Mimiko called on President Buhari to ensure that a free, fair and credible election is held in the supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government and 101 other polling units of the state.
On the chances of Governor Seriake Dickson in the governorship election, Mimiko expressed confidence that the PDP candidate and governor of the state will emerge victorious having won six out of seven local government areas so far declared by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He assured that the development stride of the present administration in Bayelsa State will deliver more votes for the PDP, as it has touched the lives of the people in the state.
Bayelsa supplementary: Be neutral, PDP tells Buhari
Ahead of Saturday’s Bayelsa State governorship run-off election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to steer clear of the election by remaining neutral.
The PDP has vowed to rally its formation in the state and particularly Southern Ijaw council, to use all means necessary in a democracy to resist any move by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to rig the election.
In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said that it has since been made aware of plots by APC to use compromised security operatives and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to attempt to produce fictitious votes and declare itself winner, but vowed that any such unholy bid would be greeted with vehement resistance and dire consequences.
Metuh, who reiterated that Southern Ijaw was a well-known PDP stronghold, said it would never accept any result that did not reflect the will of the people.
He said: “We issue this statement as direct notice to the APC and their compromised INEC, military and other security operatives who have been stationed to ostensibly assist to produce fictitious votes with which APC intends to declare itself winner.
“Let it be known to all that the PDP is fully mobilized for Saturday’s supplementary election. Our members across Southern Ijaw have been stationed in every polling unit, every collation centre and every exit and entry point in the area, and have been directed to use all means available in a democracy to stop the APC in its trail.
“Southern Ijaw council is a well-known stronghold of the PDP and we will not in any way accept anything short of free, fair and credible election, abundantly reflecting the will of the people.
“Anything to the contrary will attract terrible consequences. We restate our resolve that never again will the PDP allow itself to be manipulated out in any election at any level, no matter the intimidation by the APC-led administration.
“Consequent upon our loss of confidence in INEC and security agencies, we hereby make public our instruction to our members and supporters not to leave the polling area after casting their votes but to remain alert within the distance provided by law and go ahead to use all means necessary to defend and protect their votes, should there be any attempt by anybody to rig the process.”
Southern Ijaw leaders dismiss report of gun battle
The elders and traditional ruler of Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State on Tuesday dismissed as “false” the reported gun battle between ex-militants loyal to both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the supplementary election in the state on Saturday.
According to the elders of the Peremabiri community, though there were confrontations among some loyalists of the APC and the PDP following the arrival in the community of the foremost ex-militant leader, Comrade Eris Paul known as Ogunboss, the issue was settled and peace has returned to the community.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Simeon Karibo dismissed the claims of heavy gun battle between ex-militants as false and a calculated attempt to disenfranchise the people of the area. “Our community is peaceful contrary to reports being circulated and we are ready for the January 9 election,” he added.
The arrival of the ex-militant leader, General Ogunboss, provoked panic among loyalists of the PDP and there were sounds of gunshots from some alleged ex-militant leaders loyal to the PDP.
While a version of the report claimed that the Peremabiri community came under attack from unknown ex-militants with armed men dressed in military and civil defence uniforms, others claimed the armed youths in the community released gunshots in panic during the arrival of the ex-militant leader and his entourage.
Ogunboss, according to the report, had stayed away from his community of Peremabiri following alleged threats from some armed youths believed to be loyal to some party leaders in the area.
When contacted on telephone, General Ogunboss, who dismissed the report as the handi-work of some few elements loyal to the PDP, said, “it is propaganda.”
-Leadership/Vanguard