The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is plotting violence in a bid to rig Saturday’s bye-election into Bakura State House of Assembly bye-election in Zamfara State.
PDP made the claim in a Friday evening statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.
INEC fixed December 5 for the bye-election following the death of the former lawmaker, Tukur Jekada.
The party said the APC planned to deploy compromised security agents and armed thugs to execute the plot to right the polls..
PDP alleged that two of its supporters were “gruesomely murdered by suspected APC thugs in the full glare of security operatives”.
According to the party, the killings proved that “already, there is siege on innocent citizens of the state”.
“We have been made aware of how, in its bid to perfect a siege on the constituency, crush the people and prevent them from exercising their franchise, the APC has brought in special forces of the IRT and STS, three DIGs of Police, two Police Commissioners, six Deputy Commissioners of Police, 10 Assistant Commissioners of Police and not less than 800 soldiers into the constituency.
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“Needless to say, the two special units of the Police will be abandoning their vital role of securing the Kano-Kaduna-Abuja expressway, thereby further exposing motorists to grave danger and death, just because the APC wants to muscle votes in Bakura constituency.
“In addition, 200 Velarus Special Forces of the Nigeria Police as well as 10 armoured vehicles are reportedly ordered to move to Bakura Constituency, all to “monitor” a single state Constituency election.
“Moreover, we have noted the influx of APC riggers including five sitting governors, seven senators, members of the House of Representative and ministers, all for a single constituency bye-election.
“Our party however notes that such desperation being exhibited by the APC has further exposed its unpopularity in Zamfara state and particularly Bakura constituency, which remains the undisputed stronghold of the PDP with highest demography of members and supporters across board.
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“It has also confirmed the supremacy of the Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawallen Maradun)-led PDP in the state,” PDP’s statement read in part.
PDP said APC’s alleged resort to violence and intimidation by security operaitves would fail as the people of Bakura would defend their votes.
The party called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to note APC’s alleged plot in Bakura and take steps to ensure that the election is free and fair.
The PDP also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call his party to order and “reverse this shameful show of might and brazen act of brigandage on Bakura, which is capable of causing a breakdown of law and order if not nipped at the board”.