The Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday engaged in war of words over the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.
The election holds on Saturday in the state.
The PDP claimed that it was aware of the alleged clandestine meetings involving the Presidency, the commission and some security forces wherein the agencies were ordered to use official and unofficial means necessary to ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress.
The commission, however, described the PDP’s allegation as its (PDP) own imagination.
It said no such meeting was held anywhere and challenged the PDP to publish the details of such meeting.
But a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said that his party “has incontrovertible records of separate meetings, last week between the Presidency and the new INEC leadership as well as with some top security officers.”
Metuh alleged further that the “meetings were coordinated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal,” who he further alleged, boasted that he had President Muhammadu Buhari’s orders to ensure that Kogi State be snatched from the PDP by all means.
He asked Nigerians to be aware of this planned “coup” against democracy
by “the ‘new sherrif,’ who though, being the biggest beneficiary of free and fair election in the history of Nigeria, is now out to corrupt the electoral system and destroy our democracy, all in the obsession to foist a one-party state on the country.”
Metuh added that alleged intelligence information available to him and his party showed that at the meeting with the new INEC leadership under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the commission was given orders to post compromised personnel to strategic areas in the state to manipulate the card readers as well as the actual voting process in favour of the APC, with assurance of adequate protection by government security agencies, particularly the Directorate of State Services.
Metuh said in the statement, “We are aware that in another meeting also held in Abuja, the Presidency directed security officials to ensure that the forces are maximally used to intimidate the people with a view to paving the way for compromised INEC officials to manipulate the process, alter ballot figures and announce doctored results.
But the commission said that it was surprised at the PDP’s allegation, saying no such meeting was held between its officials and either the security agencies or the Presidency.
The spokesperson for the commission, Mr. Nick Dazan, refuted the opposition party’s allegation in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday.
He said, “That allegation as grave as it is, is not true. There was nothing like that.
“Since the chairman assumed office, he has been busy having meetings with officials of the commission.
“He also met with the national commissioners, received handover notes and even met with departmental heads.
“It is curious that such an unfounded allegation would come at this time. The chairman of the commission has promised to be fair, just and that he would conduct free, fair and credible elections.”
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