THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned in totality, what it called the violence and bloodletting that characterized last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in various parts of the country.
It expressed worries in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja on Sunday that the nation’s electoral processes were still very much smudged by unnecessary resort to violence by contenders, even when there were available channels for the resolution of disagreements at various levels of engagement.
The PDP regretted the violence and called on Nigerians, particularly political stakeholders, to concert efforts to make the country’s political and electioneering processes across board free of violence especially, as we approach the 2019 general elections.
It added: “Our party values the life of every single Nigerian and we implore all contenders, including political parties, to eschew desperation for power, especially in the face of the loss of popularity and public support due to performance issues.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we seek a peaceful environment where the citizens are free to vote for candidates of their choice at all levels, particularly the Presidency.
“As it were, majority of Nigerians have made up their minds where to go in the 2019 general elections and we urge all stakeholders, including political parties, contenders to offices and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the will of the people by playing by the rules and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere.”
The PDP sympathized with the families of those who lost their lives in the violence and prayed for a speedy recovery for those who were injured.
It urged all Nigerians to continue in prayers and commitment to the unity and peace of the nation.