Lagos PDP seeks ban of APC from 2019 polls

LAGOS State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday called for a ban of All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the forthcoming elections in the state, citing the way and manner the ruling party had now militarised the polity, recruited thugs and notorious criminals into its fold as members.

Chairman of the party, Dr. Adegbola Dominic, made the call on Thursday while addressing the General Assembly of PDP, which took place at the party’s secretariat at Sogunle in Ikeja area of the state and attended by party leaders, including former Deputy national chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George, among others, alleging that these violent APC members were now brazenly perpetrating assault and crimes without any arrest.

This was just as the party boss kicked against the purported agreement between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the state chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in respect to transportation and delivery of election materials, saying it was totally against such agreement as the Union cannot be fair in discharging such duties.

“The recent undeniable assault, hardship foisted on Lagosians following the so-called APC mega rally is still fresh in our minds. These violent APC members boldly used dangerous weapons like machetes, guns, knives freely even as the APC governor was present and reading his speech.

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“While many were injured, at least three persons have been announced dead from the APC fracas. Many innocent, non-partisan Lagosians also lost their valuables. Lagos was held hostage,” Dominic said.

According to him, the PDP cannot overlook that a violent group within the APC is getting ready to silence opposition in the state, saying that it could not forget “the gruesome murder of our governorship candidate in 2017, Engr. Funsho Williams.”

PDP, therefore, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to activate its powers to disqualify the ruling APC for what it termed its obvious monumental electoral malpractice and violence.

“Similarly, we expect and charge the law enforcement officers to provide adequate security to our members and indeed all Lagosians,” Dr Dominic said, urging that the APC leadership should be arrested and prosecuted for the said fracas that occurred at its last mega rally.

Speaking further, the PDP chieftain kicked against the purported agreement between INEC and the state chapter of NURTW in respect to transportation and delivery of election materials, saying it was totally against such agreement and, therefore, should be set aside.

“The Lagos State PDP condemn and reject in totality the announced agreement between the INEC and NURTW with respect to transportation and delivery of election materials before, during and after the polls,” he said.

According to Dominic, the PDP hinges its condemnation and rejection on the alleged admission and confession by the spokesperson of Lagos chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Joe Igbokwe, that officers and members of NURTW are card-carrying members of APC.

Besides, Dominic said the viral video/pictures of elections held in Ekiti and Kwara states, including the one recently held in Osun State confirmed that indeed the NURTW officers and members’ support for the APC at elections.

“The viral video/pictures confirming notorious NURTW officers and members support for the APC at elections held in Ekiti, Osun and Kwara states. Similarly is the open relationship between the National Leader of APC, Tinubu and NURTW officers,” he said.

“Consequently, we declare that the NURTW in Lagos State cannot be fair in the distribution and delivery of election materials to all voting centres, especially where PDP voters dominate. We demand that INEC should terminate the agreement in Lagos State and seek collaboration elsewhere,” the party boss demanded.