PDP vows not to accept result if election not free, fair

dimeji akinloye

January 5, 2016 9:56 PM

The supplementary poll will be conducted in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area where the exercise was cancelled following widespread violence.

Residents protest conduct of governorship elections in Bayelsa State

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday said it would not accept anything short of free, fair and credible election in Saturday's supplementary poll in the governorship election in Bayelsa.

This is contained in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, and issued in Abuja.

Metuh said that PDP had again rallied its formation in the state, particularly in Southern Ijaw, to use all means necessary in a democracy to resist any move to rig the supplementary election.

He claimed that Southern Ijaw was a well-known PDP stronghold and that the party would never accept any results that did not reflect the will of the people.

"Let it be known to all that the PDP is fully mobilised for Saturday’s supplementary election.

"Our members across Southern Ijaw have been stationed in every polling unit, every collation centre and every exit and entry point in the area, and have been directed to use all means available in a democracy to stop APC in its trail.

"Southern Ijaw Local Government is a well-known stronghold of the PDP and we will not in any way accept anything short of free, fair and credible election, abundantly reflecting the will of the people.

"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,’’ he said.

READ: PDP, APC disagree on cancellation of polls in Southern Ijaw

Metuh said that the party had called on its members and supporters not to leave the polling area after casting their votes but to remain alert within the distance provided by the law.

He also called on them to 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 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."

dimeji akinloye