The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against using the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to blackmail and threaten Nigerians and members of the opposition ahead of the February 16 presidential election.
The party’s position was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Tuesday.
The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) notes the incessant blackmail and threats against the opposition and law abiding Nigerians by the Buhari Presidency, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and surmised that Nigerians will not buckle under any jackboots.
“The PDP also notes the efforts being made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to heat up the polity, inject crisis, undermine the general elections, then carry out their heinous plots to use mercenaries from Niger Republic to unleash mayhem on our nation and blame it on the opposition, having realized that there is no way President Muhammadu Buhari can win in a peaceful, free and fair election.
“The PDP further draws the attention of the international community to the land mines being set on the way of credible elections by the APC, including the clamp down on opposition, foisting of President Buhari’s relation, Amina Zakari, as head of INEC’s collation center, the refusal by President Buhari to sign the amendment to the Electoral Act, the creation of illegal geo-spatial centers and polling units for allocation of fictitious votes for the APC, listing of APC supporters as election officials and the opening of our borders to mercenaries to participate in our electoral process.
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“It is now clear to all that the target of the APC is to demonize and cow the opposition, instill fear in Nigerians, undermine our democratic institutions, attempt to subjugate the citizenry and pave the way for the actualization of a self-succession plan for President Buhari.
“The PDP, as a political party with the highest demography of members and supporters, in their millions, across our nation, therefore states in unequivocal terms, that Nigerians will never allow themselves to be blackmailed, intimidated or cowed by the APC into relinquishing their constitutionally guaranteed rights, to freely chose their leaders, no matter the threats.
“The PDP stands with Nigerians, across the board, in demanding for a free, fair, transparent and credible general election. This position must be respected, as the citizens of our country will spare no thoughts in vehemently confronting and squarely resisting, head to head, any attempt by anybody, whosoever he may be, to subvert our electoral process.
“It is incontrovertible that Nigerians have reached a consensus in rallying behind the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in this election. Any result that does not reflect the wishes and aspiration of the people will be completely resisted.
“The PDP calls on international community to note that the consequences of such resistance in a country of over 200 million people, who have made up their minds for a new leadership, is capable of triggering huge humanitarian crisis not only in Nigeria but also in the West African sub-region.
“PDP therefore urges all institutions responsible for the general election to save our nation from collapse by working towards guaranteeing a credible, free, fair and transparent election. This is all we seek.”
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