Ekiti 2018: Create level playing ground for credible election ―South-West PDP

AS the Ekiti governorship draws near, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South West region on Wednesday, called on all stakeholders in the election to create a level playing ground for all political party contesting in the election.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, who stressed the need for credible free and fair governorship election in Ekiti state.

Fadaka who expressed fear over the emerging political trend in the state said “we find it imperative to declare boldly that there must be a level playing ground for all political parties contesting the election.

“We are deeply worried by emerging trends that plans are already concluded about how to compromise the elections and therefore compelled to believe that Nigeria is about to descend again into the infamy of election rigging, this is troubling in view of recent gains of fair elections accomplished in our nation in the past few years.

“We have taken due cognizance of the many campaign speeches of Kayode Fayemi of APC to the effect that the Buhari administration is set to trample on the fundamental rights of citizens in the immediate pre-election day period, and even on the d-day itself through the use of security agencies and the undisguised remark that the elections will be rigged in his favor, these very reckless statements is clearly indicative of evil plans.”

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The statement read further that “We take a serious view of Fayemi’s speeches because of his much-acclaimed ties with President Buhari and therefore tempted to believe that he merely let the cat out of the bag with these statements.

“The implementation of these declarations is calculated to shortchange the PDP and other parties contesting the election, therefore, we declare that we will not stand by idly and watch the APC exploit privileges of power to shut us out the election.

“We, however, warn that this insidious plan possess the potential to cause disaffection, strife and unrest if implemented, the goal of all contending parties in this election should be centered on how to market their candidates and manifestos to the electorate who in their wisdom will arrive at the conclusion of which party to vote for.

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to tell President Muhammadu Buhari that he is a Statesman and not just a member of the APC, he has a responsibility to discharge to the people of the nation at large and not just his Party.

“To this extent, he must ensure that the rules of engagement of security agencies deployed for electoral duties do not in any manner deviate from generally acclaimed norms.”

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to take a cue from former President Goodluck Jonathan “who ensured that the votes of Nigerians do count in every election, Nigerians easily recollect that under the Jonathan presidency, people like Adams Oshiomole, APC’s National Chairman contested election as Governor and won.

“Nigeria cannot be allowed a free fall on all fronts, we already have enough challenges and crisis in our economy, security and social fronts and cannot afford to add political crisis to it.”