PDP kicks against move to postpone elections in Zamfara

FOLLOWING the pressure being mounted on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the federal government to postpone the elections in Zamfara State to enable the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to field candidates, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has warned the electoral body not to do against the nation’s laws.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, had written to INEC asking it postponement of the polls.

The National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has also written to the electoral body demanding that it gives effect to ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto, which ordered that the status quo be maintained in Zamfara APC crisis.

But speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the party boss kicked against the move to postpone the election, warning INEC that it cannot foist the consequences of the negligence of one party on the over 80 political parties that are expected to participate in the elections.

In his reaction to the AGF’s move, Secondus said: “First and foremost, we don’t want INEC to go against the law. Our legal team is working on the line of action that can be taken. But of a truth, party chairman of APC cannot direct INEC to do the wrong thing.

“So, that’s why we have come to put the question direct that INEC must follow the law.

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“You cannot because of one party, in their internal crisis, self-inflicted injuries, to now order over 80 political parties that have fielded their candidates…the time has passed.

“And looking at the (Appeal Court) judgment, one of the people in dispute, one of their members has even raised the issue that there was no clear declaration (by the court).

“So, our legal team is working on it. No clear declaration that INEC should accept their candidate.

“Whatever is the case, our legal team is working on it and Nigerians are also watching INEC. INEC should not also be turned to one of the subsidiaries of APC. “

The party boss noted that the AGF letter to INEC was meant to arm-twist the electoral body and the judiciary to take action in favour of the ruling party.

Secondus further stated: “The AGF letter is part of APC’s design to arm-twist INEC and judiciary to take illegal action in their favour.

“What the AGF is seeking is not backed by law.

“The AGF is an interested party on this matter and has no moral right to advice INEC.

“The inability of the APC to field candidates due to self-inflicted crisis when other parties did within the stipulated period for the election is not covered by section 38 & 39 of the Electoral Act 2010 which the AGF is relying on his dubious advice.”

He, therefore, called on INEC to follow the dictates of the law and continue in its plan to achieve a credible election.