The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has alleged that it has uncovered a sinister plan by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to compromise the forthcoming governorship election in the State.
PDP in a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, alleged that the sinister plan by the Ade Adetimehin led APC ahead of the poll will not work.
The statement read: “The training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers by Independent National Electoral Commission is a prerequisite for recruiting such ad-hoc staff to function in these capacities. Unfortunately, Ade Adetimehin has personally submitted a list of two persons who are APC members per Polling Unit to INEC to serve as Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, even when these persons did not attend the training.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter, wishes to alert the public that, the APC is banking on compromising the election at all costs, having failed tragically to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“The entire world is watching and this move by Adetimehin has vindicated our consistent call for the redeployment of Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who has Adetimehin’s backing in this evil.
“Our party wishes to admonish all actors to play according to the rule. The entire world is watching, and nobody can hide behind one finger,” Peretei said.
Reacting, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alex Kalejaye described the allegation as a calculated attempt to discredit the party chairman and the forthcoming poll.
“It is not true. We have no reason to contemplate compromising the election. We have worked very hard; we have worked for the people. A series of projects have been cited, and we are implementing numerous measures to improve conditions for the people. We have campaigned across the 18 local government areas, and we are prepared.
“We have appealed to the people, and they have shown understanding and a willingness to support the party. Therefore, we have no reason to even consider compromising the election; it is simply not true. This is just one of those fabrications from the PDP.
“There is absolutely no reason to do that. Our strategy is to campaign. We are working with the people; we have engaged every segment of society. Our focus is on improving the lives of those who are living in challenging conditions. Many projects are underway in the interest of the state’s economic and physical transformation. So, we will continue to appeal to the people.
“Tomorrow, we will hold our grand finale rally, gathering everyone together, and we will send the same message of continuity. However, we will not go to the extent of doing anything unconstitutional just to win an election. We have done the work we set out to do, and we are confident that the people are with us. There is no reason to take any improper actions to secure a victory,” Kalejaye added.
Fidelis David
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