PDP accuses APC of plotting to impose state of emergency in Rivers State.

As the people of Rivers State begin the hour countdown to National and state Assemblies rerun election on Saturday in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP, has raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government of President Muhammadu Buhari of plotting to instigate violence in the state so as to impose a state of emergency.

Warning of “dire consequences”, PDP national leadership said it would not tolerate any attempt by the APC to push its plot to impose a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

The PDP, in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, also said it had also rallied all its formation in the state to stiffly resist by all means necessary in a democracy, any move by the APC to scuttle the rerun election on Saturday.

“The party is privy to a grand design by the APC to orchestrate violence in the state with a view to truncating the elections, having realised that the PDP and its candidates are more popular and ready to win overwhelmingly in all the reruns,”

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“We are aware that the orchestration of violence is designed to serve as stimulus for the planned imposition of a state of emergency to enable the APC forcefully take over the state which it failed to get through the ballot box. We also know the design to unleash violence is behind the recent infamous call by APC spokesman in Ondo state, Omo’ba Abayomi Adesanya for emergency rule in Rivers state.

“What else, apart from the execution of this plot explains the complains from our candidates and members in Rivers state of constant threats by partisan security operatives as well as the recent gale of arrests, attacks and killing of PDP supporters in the state?”, Metuh said in the statement.

The party also reasoned that Rivers state is a stronghold of the PDP and that such profane quest would be squarely and comprehensively greeted with intense resistance and very dire consequences.

It also added that its position is guarded by the fact that the PDP remain a responsible and law-abiding party committed to the sanctity of the electoral process, the interest and will of the Nigerian people, insisting that it has the numbers and the people of Rivers state are solidly behind us.

“It is on this note that we totally welcome President Muhammadu Buhari’s warning to those instigating violence and causing mayhem in Rivers state. It is our belief that the president’s warning is more directed to APC supporters who have shown unique thirst for violence.

“The hallmark of democracy is the inalienable rights of the citizens to freely choose their leaders; vote and be voted for, and we believe this right must be fully protected at all times.

Continuing, the party said it does not expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Saturday’s elections are credible but also conclusive, so as use it to redeem its image.

“We support the people of Rivers State in their demonstrated resolve to stand up and use all lawful means necessary in a democracy to defend their votes in the reruns as well as protect the state government they voted for.”

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