…As Atiku, others take campaign to Ebonyi/Enugu states
Frank Momoh
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, on Saturday has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to sanction President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly importing foreigners into the country in preparation for their rigging plot.
Prince Secondus said that contrary to the Electoral Act, the APC, brought in foreigners and government officials from neighboring countries of Niger Republic and Chad to Kano to finalize arrangement on how to use them to swell their votes in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Jigawa states.
The National Chairman who raised the alarm while addressing party supporters in Ebonyi and Enugu states on Friday said that the PDP has credible intelligence that the ruling party having realized their dwindling popularity in the North West zone is devising a dubious means to fake their popularity and manipulate the ballot.
In a statement from his media office signed by Ike Abonyi, the National Chairman told INEC to take necessary step to act on this matter by applying the necessary sanction on the APC candidate who invited foreigners to a campaign rally for ulterior motives aimed at influencing ballot in the country.
He also drew the attention of relevant agencies like the Police and immigration to take necessary steps to avert the influx of foreigners at this time.
“Even before Thursday’s importation of these foreigners into kano rally, the PdP has gotten privileged intelligence that the Kaduna state government has been bringing in foreigners and camping them with a view to influencing votes.
“We are aware that unless they connive with INEC this dubious act would not be possible, I therefore warn INEC to take necessary steps to avert any undue influence.
The Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his Vice Peter Obi all assured the people of the two states in particular and South East zone in general that the PDP Presidency will end their marginalization.
The Senate President who is the Director General of the campaign Dr. Bukola Saraki commended the Governors of the two states for the wonderful mass mobilization. He was particular about Enugu state that had tremendous crowd that waited till 6 pm when the campaign train arrived.
Also speaking at the Nnamdi Azikiwe sports stadium,Enugu the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu assured the PDP and the Presidential candidate that Enugu and the South East will vote massively for the party.
The wife of the Presidential candidate Jennifar Atiku Abubakar urged the two states to vote for her husband saying that as the wife she has known Atiku for over 30 years and can vouch that he loves and means well for Ndigbo.
The former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim an indigene of Ebonyi state and the state Governor Dave Umahi as well as the former Governor Samuel Egwu all tried to dispel the rumour that the state is romancing with Buhari saying that Ebonyi is PDP and PDP is Ébonyi assuring that the state will vote PDP all the way.
The high point of the rally was the appearance of the former Governor of old Anambra state Senator Jim Nwobodo who left the party two years ago to join the ruling APC only to announce his return at the rally in Enugu.