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…accuses APC of vote buying
By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, has raised an alarm over the alleged directive of Governor of Kaduna state, Mal. Nasir El-rufai to arrest members of the opposition party before the rescheduled forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The leading opposition party in the state alleged that it has been hinted that Governor El-rufai has given order to the security agencies in state to get some of its members arrested.
While addressing a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, the Chairman of the party, Hassan Hyet, also disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is stylishly engaging itself in vote buying, which according to him is contrary to the law.
“We call on EFCC and other anti-corruption Agencies, security agencies alike to take necessary action by arresting trailer loads of rice, indomie, maggi, etc being sent to various Local Government Areas in the State to influence the poor voters. This is pure vote buying which is against the law.
Speaking further, the Chairman of PDP explained that addressing the press became necessary in view of the acts of deliberate harassment and intimidation that members of the PDP are experiencing in the state.
Though, he averred that three members were earlier arrested, which according to him include; the Assistant Campaign Director in charge of our broadcast department, Hon Saidu Adamu, El-Abbas Mohammed and Talib Mohammed Lawal, adding that these are several acts of calculated harassment that the APC government has initiated against the members of the opposition party.
“We recall that on 30/01/2023, we had cause to write a petition to the Commissioner of Police when 14 of our members were randomly arrested in Kudan Local government. We wrote another petition on 01/03/2023 asking the Police to be mindful of plans by the APC to incite the public through the use of some Islamic clerics.
“We, the PDP, strongly condemn and reject this blatant abuse of power by the APC-led government. Though we agree that this harassment is because the APC in Kaduna is staring defeat in the coming elections, we want them to know that they would be held responsible if anything happens to our members currently in detention.
“We draw the attention of Nigerians and the international community to these undemocratic acts of harassment against PDP members in Kaduna state. We ask for either the immediate release of those arrested, or charged to a competent court so that the needed legal process can start. Doing otherwise would amount to an infringement of their fundamental human rights and a clear misuse of state power.
“We also request that the security agencies in Kaduna State stay neutral in all the electoral processes in the state. This would help the state to stay peaceful before and after the March 18th Gubernatorial and state Assembly Elections.
“Information reaching us is that the APC Government in Kaduna State has drawn up lists of people to be picked in various Local Government Areas in order to cripple the PDP. This is very unbecoming of an elected Governor who is on oath to be fair to all.
“The desperation of the serving APC Governor and its Gubernatorial Candidate is such that they are moving from one Local Government to another, threatening the remaining Traditional/Ward Heads and Civil Servant with dismissal should they fail to deliver their wards,” Hyet lamented.
On the allegation of vote buying, the PDP Chairman further said that Kaduna State has never donated items either during Sallah, Ramadan fasting, Christmas or Easter to the masses of Kaduna State – why now?
The party therefore called on EFCC and other anti-corruption Agencies, security agencies alike to take necessary action by arresting trailer loads of rice, indomie, Maggi, among other items were being sent to various Local Government Areas in the State to influence the poor voters.