Presidency: APC campaign accuses PDP, LP of inciting violence

The Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the spokespersons of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) of making plans to incite violence over the announcement of results for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The council said the PDP and LP spokespersons have threatened to incite violence in the country if the results gathered by them are not announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The spokesperson of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, said this via a statement issued on Sunday.

Keyamo, who is the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, stated: “Our attention has been drawn to some incendiary comments by spokespersons of the opposition parties, notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) regarding the yet-to-be-announced results of the elections that held yesterday.

“Some of them have threatened fire and brimstone if their own version of some concocted results are not announced in a bid to be the judge, jury and executioner in this election.

“Similarly, to rile up their supporters against the country, they play up some isolated incidents of violence in our strongholds, whereas we have tons of videos of massive electoral malpractices like violence against non-LP supporters, forcing and guiding women and children to thumb-print ballot papers for LP and massive thumb-printing of ballot papers by both PDP and LP supporters in some parts of the country.

“On our part, we have decided to be calm to await the official announcement of the results and to pursue any grievance (if any) in a lawful manner. But we shall not sit back and allow such unguided comments to gain grounds in order to foist a particular narrative on our citizens and the international community.”

The minister noted that all political parties must abide by the terms of the Peace Accord signed by them and show love for the country above personal ambitions.

“We have all campaigned hard and strong. The Nigerian people have listened to all of us and made their decisions. Now is the time to hear the voices of Nigerians as the results are released and not our own voices.

“The body officially designated to reflect the voices of Nigerians is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). No Party can bully them by threats to do its own bidding. Neither will the APC be cowed into silence by this disgusting antics of the opposition parties.

“We call on the International Observers and friends of Nigeria not to be distracted, but to focus on the process as it unfolds,” he added.

The Star

Segun Ojo