ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was plotting to use election petition tribunals to truncate the nation’s nascent democracy.
This was contained in a communique made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesaday after a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), with its governors and senators-elect.
At the meeting, the party reviewed the activities of the party since it lost the presidential election and some of its governors, as well as National Assembly seats.
According to the communique read by Senator George Sekibo at the end of the meeting, the party expressed concerns over plans by the APC to make the country a one-party state, using crude and undemocratic practices.
PDP, however, warned that it would not condone agents of APC working as fifth columnists to destabilise its leadership, while it called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be forthright and impartial in the handling of the pending supplementary elections in Abia, Imo and Taraba states.
The party commended its presidential candidate, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, for his statesmanly disposition in the sustenance of democracy and peace in the country.
“That the meeting frowns on the unprecedented level of intimidation, harassment and undue persecution of the party members since the INEC declaration of the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.
“The meeting vehemently frowns on the shameless undemocratic ways and means being displayed by the outgoing APC lawmakers in Ekiti State towards effecting an unconstitutional change in government.
“The meeting commends the president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, for his statesmanly disposition in the sustenance of democracy and peace in the country.
“The meeting congratulates all the winners on the platform of the PDP in the elections and urge them to discharge their duties and form a formidable opposition that can redirect the fortunes of the country and sustain the gains of the present democratic era led by President Jonathan.
“The meeting stressed the importance of unity, peace and harmony in the party for effectiveness in its new role and warned that it will not condone agents of APC working as fifth columnists to destabilise the leadership of the party.
“The meeting commends all members of the party for their unflinching support and belief in the party, even in the face of intimidation, pernicious violence and untold harassment.
“The meeting assures all members of the party across the country of adequate protection in the exercise of their democratic franchise always,” the communique read.
The meeting, which was presided over by the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, lasted for several hours, while notable party leaders, including Senate President, David Mark; his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, were absent.
However, Senator Philip Aduda, who said he was representing Senator Mark at the meeting, explained that the Senate president led a delegation to console with the family of the late Senator Uche Chukwuemerije, who died on Sunday.
Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe were the only PDP governors present at the meeting.
Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)
