We can’t trust APC on credible polls in 2019, PDP tells UN

The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has voiced out his reservations and fear over the sincerity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

The PDP chairman stated this on Wednesday at the Party’s Headquarters in Abuja when he played host to the United Nations Assessment Team led by Mr. Serge G Kubwimana.

The UN team members, who are visiting all the major political players in the country including major political parties, INEC, National Assembly said that the visit is to get a feedback from the stakeholders so to be informed on the areas to provide technical support ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Addressing the delegation Secondus, raised concerns about the political climate in the country, saying that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government has not been able to demonstrate its willingness to organise a free fair and credible election in the country.

He maintained that only a credible election can guarantee peace and unity in the country.

He stressed that the 2019 election will make and mar the unity of the nation.

“This visit is timely because of the unfolding event in our country and the political situation; I believe this is the time for intervention.

“We have fears since APC came on board, if election is not in their favour there is a rerun. There must be election that is free and fair and when there is no free and fair election it breeds crisis and we are witnessing what is happening in Kenya.

“There is a great fear as to whether INEC will conduct free and fair election. Free and fair election will guarantee the unity of this country and we are afraid, if INEC will conduct free and fair election.

“Take this to New York for all the necessary action required. Election is coming in 2019, the election that will make and Mar the nation. What this government owns this nation is to conduct free and fair election.

“The National Assembly and the judiciary, they are important arms of the government, the judiciary are not obeyed.”

Secondus pointed out that in the history of this nation, it was only PDP that lost an election and did not challenge it in court.

“During our time, we lost without going to court and that is the first time in the history of this country,” he said.

The leader of the UN team, Mr. Serge G Kubwimana, said that they were meeting with political parties to get first hand information on how to assist the country.

He stated that they will meet with all stakeholders in the electoral process while assessing the political and security environment, and legal frameworks in order to situate the capacity needs of the electoral body.

“Assessment can’t be done without interacting with the stakeholders, judiciary, National Assembly, civil society. At the end of the mission we will set up recommendations on technical issues which will help to improve the overall environment for the elections.”

He noted that since elections are a sovereign issue, the recommendations must be in tandem with the needs of each country.

Other members of the delegation were Nadege Domjie and Amadou Sour.

Myke Uzendu, Abuja