'PDP will defend mandate by all means' - Metuh

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has activated its structures across the country to defend the party’s mandate in a democratic manner.

Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP National Publicity Secretary made the statement on Monday in Abuja while reacting to the cancellation and rescheduled governorship election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The PDP, he said, was "ready, willing and able to defend the choice of the people’’ during the rescheduled governorship poll in Southern Ijaw LGA.

"Never again will this leadership of the PDP allow our party candidates to be manipulated out of any election at any level.

"In that regard, we have activated our structures across the country to defend our mandate with all means available in a democracy,’’ he said.

He said that the action of members of the party led to the cancellation of the "fabricated elections’’ in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

He added that if not for the 'bravery of Bayelsans’ to stand up for their votes, their will would have been completely subverted in the election.

INEC had earlier announced the cancellation of polling in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa.

Announcing the cancellation at a news conference in Yenagoa, Baritor Kpagih, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, said the exercise was substantially marred by some irregularities and violence.