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As campaigns for the November 16th gubernatorial election in Bayelsya state gathers momentum, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are again at loggerheads over allegations of attempts to rig using the security agencies and use of thugs for perpetuate violence.
While the PDP in a statement by the state chairman, Moses Cleopas, said information at his disposal clearly indicates that the APC has procured the services of the GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt to rig the election in Bayelsa State, using the military.
The APC through its Publicity Secretary, Doifie Buokoribo, accused the PDP in the state of trying to foster panic in the state to prepare the ground for a state government-sponsored violence ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
Doifie, who double as the Secretary, Media and Publicity Committee of APC Bayelsa State 2019 Governorship Campaign Council, was reacting to allegations of poll rigging and violence by the Bayelsa state PDP Chairman.
Among other allegations, the PDP Chairman also said that information at their disposal states that the APC in Bayelsa State has already sewn Army uniforms and procured vehicles painted in military colours that it will distribute to some thugs imported into the state and use them as military men on duty to harass and intimidate PDP members and electoral officials during the election.
Cleopas, also stated that these thugs will be working with the military that will provide cover for them to operate freely.
“Similarly, the APC Governors would be coming with already prepared and completed results sheets, which they would influence INEC officials from the state to accept and announce.
“In conclusion, we call on the international community and Nigerians to stop other APC Governors from coming to Bayelsa State before and during the election as they are not voters nor observers and have no business being in Bayelsa during the election to avoid a repeat of the Osun scenario”, the statement added.
But in reaction on Thursday, APC also accused the governor, Seriake Dickson, and his party of engaging in “a dress rehearsal for their own usual electoral violence and poll robbery.”
It described the allegations by PDP as “the ranting of a panic-stricken party rocked by greed and fear of failure owing to its own poor performance, which is struggling to sow anxiety among the people to stave off imminent electoral rejection.”
The statement said, “It is clear to the people of Bayelsa State and, indeed, Nigeria that the Peoples Democratic Party in the state is in a terrible panic mood. Raising false alarm is only a way of managing their anxiety.
“False accusation and panic-mongering have been their signature election eve dress rehearsal for violence and electoral manipulation. The whole country saw it in 2015/2016. Ahead of November 16, PDP in the state is engaged in another full-scale practice before the launch of their terror assault on our electoral democracy.
“The party seems even more desperate this time. Hit by a wave of defections and imminent consequence of its poor performance, PDP in Bayelsa is nervous. And it has entered a persecution complex mode.
“In addition to the known contents of the PDP terror package, as hinted by its state chairman, APC is aware of the governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson’s plot to ‘pardon’ some hardened criminals who had been convicted for various criminal offences, apparently, for use as foot soldiers in his party’s electoral violence and manipulation scheme. Obviously conscious of the fact that this evil plot has been exposed, Dickson and PDP are hastily clutching at the last straw of panic-mongering.
“But, unfortunately for them, their strategy has become an old joke to Bayelsans.
“Let us reiterate that APC is not distracted by PDP’s antics ahead of the governorship election. We remain focused.
“We are on the ballot to win. The mood of Bayelsa currently accords with our message. And we will win.”