The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be held responsible for any threats to the conduct of the 2019 general elections.
The main opposition party said its position was informed by its review of recent developments, particularly what it termed the desperation being exhibited by the APC and agents of the Buhari Presidency.
In a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP alleged plots by the APC administration to scuttle the upcoming general elections.
The party’s position was predicated on the alarm raised by the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Mongunu, alleging that some individuals that are not certain of their fate in the upcoming elections were plotting to precipitate widespread violence aimed at scuttling the conduct of the elections.
But the PDP retorted that by every evidence and material facts, the political party and candidate that are not certain of their fate in the election have proven to be the APC and its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.
The PDP said the President and his party have continued to exhibit acts of frustration over fear of imminent electoral loss.
The statement said, “We are all witnesses to the series of warnings to the Buhari Presidency, from prominent Nigerian citizens and topmost members of the international community, including the United States, United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the European Union, against actions that are inimical to the smooth conduct of the general elections.
“It is instructive to note that instead of heeding this warning, the Buhari Presidency and the APC, in their arrogance and desperation, resorted to blackmailing and vilifying the international community, thereby further confirming that they are not ready for a peaceful, free and fair election.
“Except the NSA is addressing facts known to Nigerians that as a result of losses already suffered by the APC on account of court judgments stopping it from participating in the elections in some states, due to its flawed primaries, some desperate leaders and members of the ruling party are making discreet arrangements to scuttle the polls.
“This is in addition to APC’s frustration over the soaring popularity of the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, among Nigerians across the board, who have come to a consensus to elect him as the next President of our country, come February, 16, 2019.
“For the majority of Nigerians, particularly members of the PDP and our teeming supporters, across our nation, the successful conduct of the February 16, 2019 Presidential election is a paramount desire that must be actualized.
“Nigerians are eager to go to the polls to vote out this administration that has caused them so much anguish, pain, hunger, economic deprivation, sectional acrimony and deaths and this is the reason the APC is seeking all ways to scuttle the elections”.