Bayelsa Supplementary Poll: PDP Draw Battle Line With APC, Order Members To Unleash “Legitimate Anger”

PDPThe national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its members in Bayelsa State to go ahead and use “all means necessary” to protect their votes during this Saturday’s supplementary election in Southern Ijaw local government area and 101 other wards.

The party warned that its members will not hesitate to unleash anger if at any point of collation of results, “fictitious figures” appear.

The PDP also said any official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who becomes a “tool in the hands of evil”, will have him or herself to blame just as it warned President Muhammadu Buhari to steer clear before and during the polls.

The PDP in a statement Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said it has since been made aware of “plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use compromised security operatives and INEC officials to attempt to produce fictitious votes and declare itself winner” but vowed that any such “unholy bid” would be greeted with vehement resistance and dire consequences.

It said the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area is a “well-known” PDP stronghold and that it would never accept any results that do not reflect the will of the people of the state.

The PDP also called on the international community and all well-meaning Nigerians to note the “ceaseless undemocratic activities of the APC-led Federal Government” and to hold it responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order during the Saturday’s supplementary election in the state.

“The PDP will intently monitor and keep records of activities, including all votes cast in every polling unit in Southern Ijaw and our members will not hesitate to unleash a legitimate anger, if at any point in collation, fictitious figures appear. In this regard, any INEC official who becomes a tool in the hands of evil will have him or herself to blame.

“We issue this statement as direct notice to the APC and their compromised INEC, military and other security operatives who have been stationed to ostensibly assist to produce fictitious votes with which the APC intends to declare itself winner.

“Let it be known to all that the PDP is fully mobilized for Saturday’s supplementary election. Our members across Southern Ijaw have been stationed in every polling unit, every collation center and every exit and entry point in the area, and have been directed to use all means available in a democracy to stop the APC in their trail.

“Anything to the contrary will attract terrible consequences. We restate our resolve that never again would the PDP allow itself to be manipulated out in any election at any level, no matter the intimidation by the APC-led administration.

“Consequent upon our loss of confidence in INEC and security agencies, we hereby make public our instruction to our members and supporters not to leave the polling area after casting their votes but to remain alert within the distance provided by the law and go ahead to use all means necessary to defend and protect their votes, should there be any attempt by anybody to rig the process”, the party said.