From Daniel Abel, Lafia
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State is strategising to rig, initiate violence in PDP strongholds ahead of the rescheduled Saturday Governorship elections.
The Director General (DG) of PDP campaign council in the state, Mr Labaran Maku raised the concern in Karu on Thursday while addressing journalists ahead of the Saturday’s elections.
Maku said findings by his party revealed that the APC in the state had planned to ensure that there is over-voting in many of the polling units, cause violence in the PDP strongholds, harrases electorates and cause violence so that votes would be cancelled by the INEC.
“We are aware that some violent elements will be used to disrupt elections where APC is poised to lose such as Obi, Doma , Lafia , Nasarawa Eggon, and Nasarawa LGAs
“We appeal to security agents to deploy their men to such areas to ensure safety and freedom for the electorate to cast their votes without intimidation.
Maku also indicated that the challenge of late arrival of sensitive materials during the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in many polling units across the state denied many voters the right to exercise their franchise.
He appealed to INEC to take responsibility by adhering strictly to the timetable of the election to avoid disenfranchisement of voters in the state.
Similarly, the Director of Media and Publicity of Ombugadu/ Ohinoyi Campaign Council, Dr Mike Omeri, appealed to politicians and their supporters to desist from making inciting comments capable of creating tension and disunity in the state.
Omeri said that PDP carried out a peaceful campaign devoid of violence and was committed to maintaining a peaceful election come 18th March, 2023.
Omeri charged all party supporters not to be intimidated but come out en-masse and vote for David Ombugadu and all the party house of candidates of the party.