Polls: APC accuses INEC of working for PDP

… Dissatisfied with Atiku for promising amnesty to looters

Tom Okpe, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working towards the victory of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general election. This is as APC lamented that INEC rejected its candidates from Zamfara and Rivers states even when it conducted valid primaries but accepted PDP candidates from Kano where no primaries were held. INEC Wednesday night rejected APC candidates from Zamfara State following conflicting judgements delivered by Federal High Courts Gusau and FCT affirming and denouncing the conduct of primary elections in the State by APC. The party also expressed shock at the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s confession to grant amnesty to looters of national wealth if elected. Lanre Issa- Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary while briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday at the party national Secretariat dismissed that contrary to recent outbursts by PDP and other opposition elements that INEC is going to rig elections for APC, the rejection of the party’s candidates show what it is going through in the hands of the Commission. He said: “Let me add that in Kano State, PDP did not do any primaries and yet today, INEC is not saying anything regarding PDP and all the candidates submitted for PDP in Kano were accepted. This is a fact that nobody can deny but we will not go to town to start pillorying INEC, this is a very critical institution to the success of any election. “We heard that INEC is relying on the fact that courts of equal jurisdiction have given conflicting judgements. We can understand that. What it thus means is that it is not over and then we will continue to take steps. “We are very certain, we did the right thing. The primaries held, INEC was not satisfied with that but it is our right to field candidates and we would follow up all the legal means to ensure that our candidates stand for elections in this 2019 general elections in Zamfara. Same situation for Rivers. “May I remind all of us, that we had primaries in Zamfara which was affected by conflicts but the process allows for three different options. You could go for indirect which is an electoral college, you could go with direct that allows every card carrying member of the party to vote for their chosen candidates and then thirdly, you go by consensus. We have the right under the constitution to exhaust these options. We did so”. The APC spokesman also expressed dissatisfaction on Atiku Abubakar over the comments that he would grant amnesty to repentant looters when he becomes President. “Going by Atiku and Obi’s shocking confession that their administration will grant amnesty to looters, we are equally shocked and hereby align with the wide section of Nigerians who are now abundantly clear of their intentions if elected and now see the collective need to stop them. “The insistence of Alhaji Atiku and PDP to take us through this dangerous route where the nation’s economic policies and programmes are driven mainly by the interests of leaders, their local friends, and foreign partners constitute a present danger every well-meaning Nigerian must rise against. The choices before Nigerians cannot be clearer. “Those who have looted our resources, stolen the monies meant to build roads, rails, and ports, provide regular and stable electricity for our homes and businesses, provide quality healthcare, create environment conducive for ordinary Nigerians to unleash their creativity and industry, and for all Nigerians to live a rewarding and prosperous lives are working hard to take charge again. It is disturbing that Atiku and his returning mate, Peter Obi, could boldly face the national, and indeed, global audience boasting that the future of our country belongs to the looters. “As a matter of fact, Alhaji Atiku repeatedly told a bewildered nation that those who caused poverty, unemployment, poor infrastructure and misery for many Nigerians under his watch as the Vice President would be left to enjoy our commonwealth as long as they turned in part of what they have stolen. This no doubt must have gladdened the hearts of all the enemies of our country. “The PDP’s Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku promised to roll out the red carpet for people who have wickedly teamed up with him under PDP to ruin our country, in an environment such as ours, where many ordinary Nigerians, not being Atiku’s friends, are wallowing in prison for stealing their neighbours’ goats, phones, foods and such”, Onilu stated.