Benue: APC alleges PDP plot to rig governorship, state assembly election with violence
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
The Benue state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday raised alarm over the plot by the State chapter of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last saturday’s Presidential/National assembly elections to unleash mayhem on Benue people with the sole aim of rigging the governorship and State Assembly elections slated to hold saturday on the 11th March, 2023.
A press release titled “ PDP PLOT TO VENT THEIR ANGER AND FRUSTRATION ON BENUE PEOPLE, SEEK TO RIG GOVERNORSHIP AND STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS,” signed by APC State publicity Secretary in Benue, Daniel Ihomun, and made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, reads, “The All Progressives Congress, APC, Benue Chapter, has gathered credible intelligence that the rejected and roundly defeated Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Benue State has planned to visit mayhem on the good people of Benue state, members of the APC, perceived enemies and rig the forthcoming Governorship and State Assembly Election in Benue State.
“This is in reaction to their crushing defeat in last Saturday, 25/2/2023 Presidential and National Assembly polls. Already, the PDP has started unleashing mayhem in parts of the State. Several perceived enemies and those who collected Dollars in other to influence voters in their respective communities for the PDP have been reportedly manhandled by thugs in Government House Makurdi.
“A secret meeting was also held recently, in Government house where a plan was hatched to rig the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election that is slated for Saturday, 11/3/2023. The plan is to totally boycott BVAS, influence the reposting of INEC Staff (Polling Officers, Collation Officers and returning Officers), create violence in APC strongholds, engage in vote buying and use members of the recently established Community Volunteer Guards to instigated crisis in border communities to whip up anti-Fulani and religious sentiments amongst the people for political gain (this has already begun with attacks in Gwer West, Guma and Kwande Local Government Areas).
“We therefore want to put INEC on notice of this sinister plan. We urge INEC to put modalities in place to check incidences of non-use of the BVAS during the 11/3/2023 Gubernatorial and State Assembly election in Benue State, early opening and closing of polls on Election day and the protection of polling units, Collation Centres and the protection of Staff.
“We call on all security agencies in the State to move-in swiftly and deal decisively with the enemies of the state who are hell bent on destroying the peace and tranquillity in Benue State.
“We call on the People of Benue to come out en mass early on 11/3/2023 without fear or intimidation to exercise their franchise, vote Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia and all APC House of Assembly candidates and protect their votes against these enemies of the people.
“As a party, we promise to improve the quality of life of all Benue people with sound policies and people oriented projects, we are prepared to end hunger, poverty and lack.
“We thank the people of Benue State for their steadfastness, support and solidarity during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
“Benue State is on the verge of a new Dawn, the future looks bright and the days of the locusts are fast gone.”
