The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is seriously considering challenging the results of the governorship elections in some states where the party’s candidates lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The leadership of the party will, however, meet with state chairmen and other stakeholders next week before taking a decision on this.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, who briefed journalists after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting yesterday, also alleged that some members of the party were recruited by the APC to cause disharmony within the party and to call for the resignation of the PDP national leadership. Some members of the party had called for the resignation of the party leadership, including the NWC and members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) over the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Metuh stated that PDP will resist any plan to undermine the will of the electorate in states where governorship elections were declared inconclusive, including Abia, Imo and Taraba. He said the party is in the process of finding out areas of “irregularities so as to enable the party have a holistic view over the conduct of April 11 election.” The party’s spokesman further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure free and fair elections and not be swayed by what he described as “the intimidation, manipulations and blackmails of a clearly obsessed APC.”
“The NWC is determined to firmly resist any attempt whatsoever to subvert the will of the people or tamper with the process with the aim of denying our candidates their well-deserved victory at the polls. “We, therefore, in the strongest possible terms call on INEC and security forces to ensure that the elections in the affected areas are free, fair and credible and that every effort must be made to resist the intimidations and blackmails of clearly obsessed APC with the aim of manipulating the process in their favour.
“On this note, we charge our members, particularly those in states where elections have been rescheduled or declared inconclusive not to despair, but remain focused as the NWC will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them until our deserved victory is achieved.
“Already, we have received reports from Nasarawa State where results from a ward collation centre in Karu Local Government where our senatorial candidate was leading with about 8,000 votes was outrightly cancelled by INEC on the ground that the collation officer was unable to reconcile the figures from the ward. “Instead of ordering the collation officer to properly reconcile and represent the figures, INEC reversed the 8,000 votes lead by our candidate by hurriedly declaring the APC candidate winner with about 2,000 votes.

This is in clear violation of the Electoral Act, which does not provide for cancellation of results based on unreconciled figures at the collation level.” He recalled of similar cases at the national collation centre where the INEC Chairman had ordered the returning officers to properly reconcile and represent figures before the announcement of final results and called for the immediate cancellation of the results as declared by INEC.
“The NWC has noted some divisive comments and statements by certain elements within the party who are being enticed by extraneous factors and other parties to cause disharmony in our ranks. “While cautioning against such comments, we urge our members with genuine grievances to direct them through the appropriate channels within our party in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.
“We reassure all our members that the NWC has put a machinery in place to reengineer and refocus our great party in keeping with our collective determination to consolidate our support base in all states of the federation with a view to regaining power at the centre in the next four years since it is obvious that the APC lacks what it takes to effectively lead our dear nation.”

theV0ice:
I thought some 'wise men' said its only APC that challenges election results?

What is this complaint from metuh of PDP about?

Medley:


This is how it should be done (PDP governors have congratulated the winners to douse tension,unlike the cry & renting of crowd to protest all over so that the world will say a particular party was not allowed to vote at all,even in the face of a glaring defeat.

instead of heating up the polity,every alleged malpractices will be directed to court & evidence(s) available provided;though its almost impossible upturning an already won election in Nigeria.

theV0ice:
I thought some 'wise men' said its only APC that challenges election results?

What is this complaint from metuh of PDP about?

Chiaka:


NO be only them sabi complain. Its too much for APC, whats their problem. We don't want a one party system in Nigeria. Its not healthy

theV0ice:


Nobody wants a one party system but how do you ensure the country doesn't become a one party state? Is it by encouraging the murderous rampage in rivers state and akwa ibom? What will you do if APC does exactly same in subsequent elections?

Did anybody ask PDP not to complain? The question is why tag APC 'bad losers' because they complained about some elections when PDP themselves have their own complaints?

Chiaka:


People voted their choice. APC where the ones hiring tugs to disrupt elections and laying it on PDP. ....Its called democracy. Yam head!! we voted pour choice and will have no regrets about it by Gods grace. None sense talks why is it only APC complaining where they got defeated.