APC is inciting violence —PDP
30.Jan.2015Nigerian Tribune Jacob Segun Olatunji and Leon Usigbe - Abuja
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THE Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), on Thursday, slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for whipping up sentiments and inciting violence ahead of the scheduled February 14 and 28 elections.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, the Organisation declared that the APC’s penchant for propaganda and threat of violence was mind-boggling.
According to Chief Fani-Kayode, “we are not, at all, surprised about the false alarm raised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the PDP-controlled Federal Government is planning to declare a six-month state of emergency across the land, it is characteristic of the opposition to make spurious allegations in the build-up to the scheduled February general election.”
The statement reads “The APC’s penchant for propaganda and threat of violence is mind-boggling. The narrative weaved together by the opposition party is disingenuous and it shows how desperate it has become in its impossible bid to dislodge the PDP-controlled Federal Government.
“It is clear that the APC now knows full well that a crushing defeat awaits it at the February 14 presidential election; otherwise why would it embark on this flight of illusion about a purported plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to precipitate violence prelude to the declaration of a state of emergency?
“We state categorically that the PDP is ready for the February 14 presidential election and all subsequent elections; and is therefore not party to any imagined ploy to postpone or cancel the election.
“At no time has the PDP ever had the power to postpone or cancel elections. Moreover, the PDP has been consistent in stating its readiness for the forthcoming elections.
“We urge our numerous supporters and indeed all Nigerians to discountenance the panic-driven shenanigans of the APC.
“The inalienable right of every eligible Nigerian to participate in the political process of our great country is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended and the relevant Electoral Laws.
“The PDP has neither the right nor inclination to dictate to anyone, including members of the opposition party, how he or she participates in the electoral process.
“If the APC is afraid that its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has fallen foul of the laws of the land, instead of crying wolf, he should submit himself to the nearest police for interrogation and prosecution.
“We call on all Nigerians to be vigilant, because by its issuing this outlandish statement, the APC has unwittingly exposed its plot to whip up sentiments and incite the people to violence.
“The forthcoming elections are not and should not be a do-or-die affair. We must state clearly that we are not impressed or in the least bit intimidated by their constant, boastful and empty threats. All the promises of violence in the world will not stop us from shaming them on February 14.
“The PDP is battle-ready and we are confident of victory in a free, fair and credible election on February 14 and 28.”
Also, the PDP has said that the APC is not prepared for the coming general election hence its “fixation on its unfounded claims of plots to scuttle the 2015 general election as a clear confirmation that the opposition party is not ready for the polls.”
According to a statement issued by the national publicity secretary of PDP, Olisa Metuh, in Abuja, on Thursday, the APC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, “are now frustrated that they could not present an alternative to the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan and as such have resorted to fabrication of baseless stories in an attempt to heat-up the polity and divert attention from their failure.”
The statement added that having ran a superior campaign with its record of achievements and roadmap for a more prosperous Nigeria, the PDP was ready for the elections and urged Nigerians to turn out en masse and vote for it come February 14, 2015.”
The PDP advised the APC to concede defeat, noting that its campaigns had already exposed its emptiness and lack of integrity to Nigerians.
