Press Release
Kogi APC Planning For Re-Run Elections Despite Candidates And Party Being Barred From Contesting In Some Constituencies.
Our attention has been drawn to an evil, unjust, criminal and callous arrangement by the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to, despite the appeal court ruling sacking and barring some of their candidates for participating in the re-run election, has decided to go further to campaign, and prepare for elections.
The PDP National Secretariat indeed finds it curious and diversionary that a party would want to place itself above the law despite a court order, to continue with election process. A process that was illegal during the last election that led to their disqualification. We find their action a perfect example of political terrorism and the highest level of political illiteracy and corruption.
A government who has finds it challenging to articulate any policy direction in the economy or any other critical sector of the polity since its assumption of power in May. Instead, has decided to engage itself with administrative confusion, abuse of process, constitutional violations, and political witch-hunt, rising above the law and sleazes in government quarters.
As law abiding citizens and good people who has high regards for principles of rule of law and due process, we wish to sound a warning to the Kogi APC to put a stop to this act and rather, concentrate on building and correcting their homes, rather than engaging in a process that will lead them nowhere because, we will use all legal means available to protect our candidates, our party and to ensure that the right thing is done.
We’ve had a similar case yesterday where the court of appeal nullified Sen. Uche Ekwunife of Anambra Central Senatorial seat, and barred him and the party from contesting, we strongly stand by the court judgment because a person cannot be qualified to be a candidate of a party unless he is nominated and sponsored by a political party, which he violates. So any decision to nominate a candidate by the APC is completely laughable and will be challenged because nomination for participation into election ended in December 2014
We also warn the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that any attempt, or attempted attempt to compromise this act, shall not be tolerated. We are alerting the relevant agencies, the Inspector General of Police, the DSS, NGO’s, election monitoring bodies of this illegality, we will not relent and this action must not be allowed.
We call on the good people to Kogi State, our candidates and supporters to be law abiding, and report any criminal and unlawful act to the relevant agencies.
In any case, we wish to restate that the PDP will remain focused on issues. We would continue to offer constructive and credible opposition, while firmly holding the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government accountable in the running of the affairs of the nation.
Signed:
Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary (PDP)
