Results collation: APC tells media, observers not to be deceived by PDP

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the international media and observers not to allow the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) `take them for a ride’ as regards to the process of the collation of results of the presidential and national assembly elections.

Mr Festus Keyamo, Director, Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council gave the advice in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He said the advice had become necessary in view of the attempts by the main opposition party to discredit and destabilize the process of the collation.

He acknowledged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had done a good job in the conduct of the elections in spite of the challenges and the delays experienced in some cases.

“It has become imperative to issue this statement against the backdrop of the dangerous extent to which the main Opposition Party (PDP) is taking the machinations to discredit and destabilise the process that would lead to a logical completion of Feb. 23, 2019, Presidential Elections by way of announcement of results in line with the established procedure in the Electoral Law.

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“Overall and from reports received in the Situation Room of the Election Planning and Monitoring Directorate of the All Progressives Congress from across our country, at this point it is safe to conclude that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has done a good job despite the challenges and the delays experienced in some cases.

“With over 84 million Permanent Voters Cards (71 million collected), mobilising the citizenry to exercise their democratic right to vote has been a massive undertaking but, thankfully, it was conducted largely peacefully and on schedule.

“We wish to acknowledge and thank all the regional, continental and global observer groups that have acknowledged the peaceful, transparent process in their various preliminary reports issued earlier today.

“Against this backdrop, the plethora of unconstitutional acts by the main opposition (PDP) and its sympathisers like urging a premature declaration of its candidate as the winner and filling the social media space with fake results transcend all boundaries of decent conduct,’’ he said.

Keyamo, however, urged the nation’s international friends, observers and patriotic Nigerians not to be deceived.

He added: “Very early in the build-up to the Elections, the Peoples Democratic Party and its Presidential candidate embarked on a cynical plan to discredit INEC as a backup plan in the likely event of their losing the election.

“You would recall, in this respect, unsubstantiated and wild claims made by Candidate Atiku and his cohorts that were all designed to put a question mark around INEC and damage the faith of the electorate in the democratic process.

“This is an assault on our democracy; it is an affront to millions of Nigerians who trooped out to exercise their civic duty by voting in the elections.

“The PDP is, in essence, and most, unfortunately, saying that if they don’t win fairly then they are willing to tear down the walls to get their way by hook or by crook.’’

He maintained that the announcements of results by INEC would be concluded in due course in spite of the opposition’s `unjustifiable and provocative stance’.

“Our elections have progressed over the years and we ask that the PDP does not derail us to the dark past with its childish antics.

“The announcements by INEC which has gotten underway will be concluded in due course. Let us all be patient and let this credible process take its course,’’