2019: PDP highlights threats to credible elections

 

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a meeting with European Union ahead of February 16 elections claimed Amina Zakari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies activities constitute threat to credible elections.

The national publicity secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan during at a meeting with European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2019, pointed out that the mistake PDP made was to have allowed All Progressives Congress (APC) that has no business in governance to take over government.

Ologbondiyan expressed concern over the presence of Amina Zakari in the commission, the role of security agencies and the INEC itself, which “not only PDP that is concerned, but majority of the parties”.

He said: “Amina Zakari should not be found anywhere near the process. We have made our position known to INEC because there will be a direct conflict of interest.”

Ologbondiyan expressed concern about the use of security agents in the past elections conducted under this administration, adding, “we believe that election should be free and fair. PDP subscribed to all the tenets of democracy. President Muhammadu Buhari is paying lip service to free, fair and transparent election.

He continued “He refused to assent to the electoral amendment bill. We are convinced that the President was never prepared for free and fair election. PDP as a party does not believe in violence, but would like presidency and INEC to conduct free and fair election, outside of this, we will not agree.”

Earlier, Deputy Chief Observer of European Union Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2019, Hannah Roberts explained that they are moving round to see the reality on ground.

She said: “We will of course have a discussion with range of people, and other contenders and stakeholders. So we have to first meet variety of people.

The Deputy  Observer also explained that “We have observers as we have in the past spread around the country in different parts so that they can see the reality on ground. The Chief observer will be coming in to observe the election.

She said “We have contact with key person in the party, we hope you will make yourself available, so that we can know what is going on. As you know, we are invited into the country by INEC.

“We can’t control anything, our mandate is to observe and make recommendations and issue statement, particularly after the election. And finally, recommendations after the election, in other to make future election better, she added.

Leave a Reply