Oppostion parties accuse PDP of blackmail

By Chimezie Enyiocha

March 16, 2011 05:06AM

Four political parties under the auspices of the Coalition Of Political Parties in Kaduna State, said they have uncovered plans by the Peoples Democratic Party in the state to intimidate and blackmail gubernatorial candidates of opposition parties and their key campaign officers.

The parties comprise the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

At a joint press briefing in Kaduna Monday, the state chairmen of the ANPP, CPC, Can, and PRP, Lawal Aliyu, Ahmed Yaro, Muhammed Soba, and Haliru Umar, alleged that information available to them indicates that the ruling PDP in the state is trying to rig the April elections by all means, using INEC and the security agencies working in the state.

“The plans, according to the information, include inducing the Nigeria Police, Kaduna Command, INEC Kaduna Office, the SSS, and the NSCDC Kaduna State to intimidate, harass, and disenfranchise supporters of the opposition candidates as well as rig the general election in favour of the PDP.

“The political wing of the police code-named ‘Operation Yaki’, solely established and financed by the state government, is mainly to intimidate the opposition and has received additional funding to enable it execute PDP’s ‘nefarious agenda,’” the parties stated.

They alleged that the PDP plans to plant card-carrying members of the party as adhoc-staff of INEC in the April general elections.

“We the coalition of political parties, Kaduna State, strongly warn INEC to ensure that genuine staff of the commission are recruited for the successful conduct of the April elections. Primary school teachers or local government staff should not be engaged in the exercise,” the coalition said.

When asked about his party’s response to the allegations, chairman of the PDP in Kaduna State, Yau Usman Jama’a, denied knowledge of any such issues, saying “I don’t know anything on this.”

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oppsitions are afraid of defeat

PDP is known for all these!!!

dont expect pdp 2 change. D only option they have is 2 rigg.

batiatus:

dont expect pdp 2 change. D only option they have is 2 rigg.

What a pity

As much as I like Jonathan, Nigerians will not stand for intimidation in politics anymore, we will rise to the occasion if there is rigging or voter intimidation. Jonathan better act right and stop seeking advice from his party loonies

papa giddy:

oppsitions are afraid of defeat

if it is you
what do you think,
PDP IS like an ELEPHANT
while ACN, CPC, ANPP (altogether) are like ant in a 'mosquito net'
Pathetic

not just in kaduna, there wil be no free and fair elections anywhere in nigeria except pdp is removed totally as a party, those guys r too corrupt 4 ma liking

recent in the past has reveal that at one point or the other PDP have rig election so we should all shine our eyes, riggin not again

They might have rigged elections then but our eyes are wide opened now.

Upon the new found awareness of many Nigerians and JEGA's strict reputation and commitment to free and fair election, the members of PDP would never fold their hands and watch an incorruptible government take over Nigeria. That would be the death of their many business deals. They wont leave the fate of their business deals to the electorate. They will attempt to rig whether therez a threat of lynching or not. But would we as a people let that attempt be successful?

I think there are many Nigerians still willing to snatch ballot boxes and even kill for the PDP just for a few naira notes. There are many other Nigerians willing to defend the ballot boxes with their lives. I wonder which of these groups is of stronger will, means and conviction.

Our eyes are open.