PDP Raises Alarm over Plot to Rig Bayelsa Election

The Governors’ Forum of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm claiming that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is plotting to rig Saturday’s Bayelsa Governorship election using cloned Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and fake security agents.The Governors’ Forum maintained that the APC had brought in Indians to effect the PVCs’ cloning in order to circumvent the electoral process in Bayelsa State since the party knows it cannot win without manipulating the system.”The APC is desperate to capture Bayelsa State as an oil-producing state which fits into the party’s inordinate ambition to take over all oil-producing states which was proposed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.”To achieve this dangerous plan, the APC brought in five Indians, all IT experts, to help them clone PVCs for the Bayelsa State governorship election. We are raising this alarm so as to alert Nigerians, the Independent National Electorial Commission (INEC) and the international community on the machinations of the APC against democracy and the right of the people to freely elect those who should govern them.”The INEC must demonstrate its independence and commitment to free, fair and credible election by being vigilant and ensuring that it does not kowtow to the wimps and caprices of the APC by ensuring that only authentic cards are used.”The forum appeals to the IG DSS and military authorities to ensure that only real personnel are on the field on election day and not fake APC agents who are already kitted in police and military uniforms to rig the Bayelsa State poll for the party.”It is important to remind the security agencies that their failure to checkmate any perceived illegality by the APC will seriously undermine their integrity to safeguard the people and could seriously erode the people’s confidence in the ability of the various security organs to guarantee their safety.” the statement reads.