Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Less than 24 hours to the presidential and legislative elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State has alleged that only three of the 23 local governments in the state have so far received electoral materials for Saturday’s elections.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, the state chairman of the PDP, Hassan Hyet, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be transparent in its dealings.
According to him, the APC-led government in the state has been deploying resources to print materials with PDP emblem in order to cause crises.
“Let me at this juncture inform the public that, as of this afternoon (yesterday), INEC has distributed election materials to all the 23 local government areas, out of which only three have received complete materials. We have notified the electoral body officially. We will keep the public informed as INEC responses to our observations. We assure INEC of our support and call for complete openness in their activities to achieve a smooth and successful election,” he said.
Hyet added that the party was committed to ensuring that the elections hold without any hitches.
“Now that Governor El-Rufai has vowed not to allow threats and acts of insecurity threaten the February 23, 2019, national elections in the state, we in the PDP stand solidly behind him and will help him resist any attempt from anybody anywhere to postpone these elections. The people of Kaduna State are very anxious to cast their votes come Saturday, February 23, 2019.
“We, therefore, call on the governor to sincerely pursue this noble intention and ensure the sanctity of this date in our dear state. We will keep monitoring developments and resist any action that will not be in the interest of the people of Kaduna State. Our actions at all times will be guided by the laws of our land.
“Information reaching us reveal that the APC government is using public resources to produce materials with PDP emblem. We stand for free and fair contest and condemn in very strong terms any attempt to rob our respected party in any act(s) of illegality. INEC, the public and election observers (local and international) should take note of this unpatriotic acts aimed at causing problems,” he said.