The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello led All Progressive Congress (APC) administration in the state of denying Nigerlites dividends of democracy despite huge sums of money accruable to the state.
The immediate past Governor and leader of the party in Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu made the allegation, while flagging-off campaign of the party’s flag bearer for the 2019 governorship election, Umar Nasko, in Bida, Niger-South (zone A) Senatorial District.
Aliyu also regretted that the state was still living on the achievements of the PDP administration, adding that the past three and half years were rather retrogressing instead of moving forward in terms of infrastructure particularly in areas that have direct bearing to the wellbeing of citizenry.
Aliyu said that Niger State and its citizenry had never been so divided along ethnic, religious and tribal inclinations due to the APC maladministration, while appealing to Nigerlites to vote out the party at the local, state and national level in the 2019 general elections.
Meanwhile, former Governor Aliyu has accused the ruling APC of plotting to rig in next year’s general election hence their not embarking on campaigns.
He therefore called on Nigerlites, the people of zone ‘A’ in particular to demonstrate the oneness and unity they are known for by coming out enmass to vote for the PDP.
Aliyu, who raised the alarm, alleged that the ruling party has concluded plans to rig the elction by using staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies especially where there are no service providers.
While urging the electorate to come out enmass, collect their PVCs and vote according to their conscience having discovered the failure of the APC-led government, Aliyu also enjoined them to ‘jealously protect your votes up to collation centres’, to avoid manipulations by the ruling party and other government forces.
“They have plans to massively rig in the forthcoming election using the INEC and security agencies as they die in Ekiti and Osun states especially where there are no service providers in Niger state”, Aliyu said and urged the electorate to guard their votes to the point of collation.
Aliyu told the gathering that the APC deceived Nigerians as it has failed to proffer solutions to the numerous challenges bedeviling Nigeria, particularly in further compounding the economic challenges by demonstrated all round failures and therefore deserved not to be given another chance to plunge the country into ‘Next Level of Hunger and Deprivations’.
Also, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Umar Nasko, who called for patience and rancor-free campaign and elections, promised to dualize the Bida-Minna road and also restore the free education policy of the Babangida Aliyu administration without discriminations if voted for. “We will ensure better and affordable healthcare services, provision of portable water, ensure respect and dignity for our culture and tradition by bringing back the annual durbar cultural festival”, Nasko said, adding that restoring unity amongst all Nigerlites irrespective of age, tribe, zone or region, religion and states of origin will be the focal point of his single four year term.