ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has praised the people of Bayelsa State for standing against intimidation, rigging and violence to ensure that their will as a people prevailed in Saturday’s supplementary election.
The acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, said in a statement issued in Abuja, on Monday, that the steadfastness and resilience shown by the people, particularly in Southern Ijaw, would go down in history as one of the many sacrifices made to defend democracy in the land.
The statement said: “Rising from what happened in Bayelsa State on Saturday, it is very clear that the APC-led Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari is not disposed to free, fair and credible electoral process in the country despite being a huge beneficiary of PDP’s electoral reform.
“However, by standing against intimidation and remaining resilient, the people have greatly contributed in deepening democracy in the country and by so doing ensuring that their own destiny is right in their own hands.
“Bayelsa is a core PDP state and one wonders how APC thought it could win in this gubernatorial election with its discredited candidate, knowing the strength and popularity of our great party in the state, in addition to the record of achievements of our candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson.”
The PDP however decried the desperation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) “whose thugs and compromised security operatives openly engaged in violence resulting in the killing and maiming of innocent Bayelsans. We hereby demand a comprehensive inquest into these killings and that all perpetrators be brought to book.”
The party congratulated Governor Seriake Dickson on his “well-deserved victory and statesman handling of the situation in the face of provocations.”
Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)
