PDP alleges attempt by APC to upturn election result, urges INEC to fortify collation centres

Ayodele Olalere

Following reported invasion of Bayelsa State by security operatives drafted from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, allegedly on a mission to disrupt collation of election results in various collation centres across the state, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, to beef up security at the collation centres, and distance itself from alleged attempts by All Progressives Congress, APC, to upturn results of the election.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bayelsa State, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, it stated that ‘the opposition, All Progressives Congress, APC has perfected plans with some unscrupulous INEC officials to move collation centres to hidden areas in order to manipulate the votes of the electorate in favour of APC.’

“While we totally condemn the violence, intimidation and harassment of PDP members in Nembe, Ogbia, Southern Ijaw, Brass and Ekeremor, we wish to put on record that it is the responsibility of INEC to cancel results from such flashpoints where elections did not take place or areas where the APC used maximum violence to secure phyric victory. Indeed, free, fair and credible elections cannot take place in a violent atmosphere,” the statement stated.

It added: ” The PDP believes that INEC will redeem her image and integrity by ensuring that all injustices are redressed according to law and in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people.

The PDP leadership believes in peaceful, free and fair elections devoid of violence, where the electorate will freely express their freedom of choice in electing their leaders. The world is watching.”