Bayelsa PDP slams APC over alleged plot to rig election

Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig theDecember 5 governorship election in the state.

Dokubo-Spiff in a statement in Yenagoa, alleged that the opposition party in the state was planning to use the same cloned Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) that were used illegally during the botched APC primary to rig the governorship election.

The use of the cloned PVCs at the primary election, he alleged, was what caused the crisis that engulfed the party.
Dokubo-Spiff, who deplored the move, said from all indications, APC was not ready to contest the election but only interested in finding a way to rig and take over the state.

According to him, the PDP had uncovered the rigging plot following intelligence gathering as he claimed that some elements in the APC willingly gave information about the planned use of the cloned PVCs said to be in circulation among members of the party and which would be used during the election.

Already, he further said, there were moves to compromise the relevant agencies constitutionally mandated to conduct the election so that they can have their way.

“The APC leadership is poised to rig the election at all cost. They are desperate and rigging is now their last resort,” he declared.

“Clearly, the APC in Bayelsa State is not prepared for any election. From all indications, all they want is a situation whereby they will collude with some INEC officials to help them write results and announce their candidate as winner and then the PDP will go to court.

“We want to assure them that such will not happen. We will do everything within our power to ensure that no rigging takes place. We are mobilizing our people to vote and wait to protect their vote,” he said.

He, therefore, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to take urgent steps to investigate the rigging plot with a view to arresting the situation.

But the APC in its response to the allegation, carpeted the PDP for making baseless and unsubstantiated claims.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Fortune Panebi, said the APC was prepared and ready for one-man-one-vote.

He said the APC could not be distracted by such unfortunate allegation, adding that the party was working tirelessly to ensure that it wins the governorship election by a landslide without any hitches.

Panebi said, “We are not INEC. There is no way we can print PVCs. Our own as a party is to garner support from Bayelsa people and the acceptance of the APC has been tremendous. Everywhere you go, the change mantra is the fad.

“And by the Special grace of God, we will win the December 5 governorship election. The PDP should focus on its campaign and stop making wild and baseless allegations. We are proud to say that the APC’s presence is all over the state.”