The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has assured security agencies that its members will remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant during the Saturday’s elections.
The PDP also assured INEC and other relevant stakeholders that the party will keep to the guidelines of the electoral process.
Addressing a Press Conference at Legacy House Abuja, on Friday, the PDP Campaign Spokesperson and Chairman of Strategy Committee of the Presidential Campaign, Osita Chidoka said their administration would reunite the country from the division it has experienced in the last four years.
The PDP, which acknowledged the cost incurred by citizens during the postponement of the elections, encouraged them to come out enmasse and vote the party in all the elections on Saturday.
“We thank Nigerians for their resilience and fortitude as we go into Saturday’s election. You have my admiration and gratitude for your patience in the face of this unexpected disruption to your lives.
“The PDP recognizes the undue financial burden placed on you by this delay. We have a deep appreciation for all those who are doing their part to ease costs and help facilitate travel nation-wide.
“We also recognize and deeply appreciate the commitment to honouring our democratic process, displayed at a cost, by the international, regional and local observers, who have stayed on to help certify that when we vote, our vote will count.
“Today, I beseech all Nigerians to come out on Saturday February 23, to vote and to make your power known at the ballot box.
“The world is watching Nigeria. The PDP calls upon you to be patient, peaceful and tolerant. Show Africa and the world our fierce commitment to democracy, to transparency and to the rule of law.
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“The PDP has taken lessons from the “Osun Playbook.” We have focused our efforts on giving you, the Nigerian people, the confidence that your vote, as expressed at the ballot box, will count.”
Chidoka said the inability of the present government to improve and deepen the reforms of INEC remained a sad reflection of its deeply ingrained maladministration that rejects institution building, transparency and displays an arrogant disrespect of legal and constitutional processes.
He noted that Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential candidate has pledged to commence the process of restoring the credibility and independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, within the first 100days in office in line with existing reports, whitepapers and international best practice.
While assuring that the party members and their supporters would remain law-abiding during the process, Chidoka insisted: “However, we are fully prepared to resist intimidation, extra judicial procedures and partisanship on the part of security agencies by reporting acts to the PDP national hotline 097 000 551 for onward broadcast to Nigerians and the World.
“We remind security agencies that it is only an election and not a war against Nigerians. The choice of language of the government and security Chiefs leaves us with the impression that the peaceful election of 2015 is not the model for 2019 election.
He therefore called on the military, the police, and all other security agents to do their patriotic duty to the citizens of Nigeria by holding true to their legal mandate.
