The Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has hailed the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, Mr Isaac Olutayo Akimoyede.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman Media and Publicity, PDP Campaign Council, Mr Yiljap Abraham. He itemized a lot of other concerns as regards Saturday 9th March 2019 Governorship and State Assembly Elections. The statement is presented below as received; Plateau PDP State Campaign Council Media and Publicity Committee
PRESS STATEMENT *TRYING TO WIN BEFORE THE CONTEST EVEN BEGINS!*
The Plateau PDP State Campaign Council wishes to unveil before the people of Plateau the latest absolutely desperate connivance of some officials of INEC in Plateau and the APC to declare Governor Lalong and the APC winners of the Saturday March 9, governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Information available to us indicates the attempt by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to keep in his custody several cartons of result sheets which had been taken out of CBN in the absence of other political parties.
A very close staff to the Resident Electoral Commissioner has been been accused of complicity in the plan.
This consignment was intercepted by the police team attached to INEC.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Olutayo Akinmoyede has effectively taken charge of this matter – and should be diligently pursued it to its logical conclusion.
The Plateau PDP State Campaign Council commends the CP for his alertness and rising to this threatening situation. However, while the Council recognises the right of the Commissioner of Police to reorganize staff under his command, the sudden swapping of DPOs in the 17 LGAs one day before the election gives the impression that it is meant to aid the governor in his rigging plans.
We also condemn the recruitment and training of new Collation Officers by INEC on the eve of the election. We have been informed that certain Plateau ethnic groups have been dropped and replaced by other ethnic groups approved personally by the governor.
This is one more step in setting Plateau against itself. It proves the fact often stressed by the Council that Governor Lalong is incapable of adequately managing the ethnic diversity of Plateau – and that is why they will definitely vote him out on Saturday! The Council condemns the flagrant abuse of the system by the electoral umpire that seeks to compromise the whole election.
No wonder, the APC and it’s candidate have been showing alot of confidence that they are as good as having won the election.
The boasting has been such that Sunday morning has been set as the time to declare Lalong as re-elected.
But they should know that the governorship election is not a local government election during which the state electoral body simply declared results to favour the governor’s selected candidates while collation was stiill going on.
Plateau people will resist this contemptuous plan.
We appeal to the good people of Plateau to remain alert at all times because the APC, some few people in INEC, the Plateau State Government and Governor are determined to subvert the will and destiny of Plateau. We appeal to PDP stakeholders, supporters and members to go out boldly and confidently on March 9, to cast their votes.
They should stand firm to defend their votes. This is a Plateau matter and not that of PDP alone.
Yiljap Abraham
Chairman Media and Publicity Committee 08. 03. 2019
