The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC not to renege on its statement of electronically transmitting results of the November 11 Governorship elections in Bayelsa,Kogi and Imo states warning that it would not accept anything order than that.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, who gave the warning at an interactive forum with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja said: “The PDP notes that the INEC Chairman has confirmed that the use of BVAS and IREV in this election and even in previous elections is a mandatory statutory requirement of the law.
“The PDP holds INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu directly responsible and accountable to his pronouncements and that INEC is bound by Law to electronically transmit results directly from the polling units using these technologies.
“The PDP is fully prepared for these elections and in line with the commitment of INEC will not accept any other means of transmitting results in these elections except as this manner pronounced by the INEC Chairman in line with the requirement of Electoral Act, 2022.”
Ologunagba said that the party is fully prepared for the election and has commenced training of its polling agents at all levels to ensure total compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Regulations especially as confirmed by the INEC Chairman.
He told the Journalists of the party’s chances in Bayelsa, adding that the governor,Duoye Diri, has performed well and enjoys the overwhelming support of the people.
The Party Spokesman pointed out that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC having been abandoned by his own party stands no chance at the election
“Timipre Sylva has no fighting chance before Governor Diri whose unprecedented achievements have endeared him to the people adding
“It is still not too late for the APC candidate to heed wise counsel and withdraw from the race to save himself from a monumental defeat,”
On Kogi,Ologunagba said the PDP has a strong candidate in Dino Melaye who, he said would beat the APC candidate, Ododo at the polls following allegations of non payment of salaries and gratuities and diversion of Local Government funds
“Ododo is alleged to be responsible for the pitiable state of Local Government Councils in Kogi State which have not been able to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions; arising from his alleged role in the diversion of LG funds to Governor Yahaya Bello.
“This justifies why Ododo is deservedly referred to as ‘Agent of Poverty and Pain’ in Kogi State,” he said
For Imo State election, the PDP national publicity secretary said that party’s candidate, Samuel Anyanwu, is more popular and well-accepted, than the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma of the APC
“Gov Uzodimma has never won an election in Imo State, he doesn’t have an organic followership in Imo State because he does not care for the people,”
He called for the immediate removal of the removal of the Imo State INEC REC, Prof. Sylvia Agu alleging that She is being compromised.
“Prof. Sylvia Agu is compromised, her conduct in the 2023 National and House of Assembly elections where she allegedly manipulated and brazenly assisted the APC in rigging the elections, are in the public domain”
