Ekiti guber: How APC intends to rig governorship election for Fayemi – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday revealed how the All
Progressives Congress, APC, intends to rig the Saturday's governorship
election in Ekiti State.

PDP said the APC intends to rig the election by deploying its
governors to each Local Government Areas of the state to coordinate
their plot.

A statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan said the 30,000
Police officers deployed to the state were allegedly "compromised"
with the aim of rigging the election.

The statement reads partly: "Information available to the PDP reveals
that part of the rigging design includes the deploying of an APC state
governor in each of the local government areas across the state to
coordinate the plot.

"We also know that the APC rally on Tuesday, which was boycotted by
the people of Ekiti State, was a gimmick to import thugs from
neighbouring states. Our supporters, who have been placed at red alert
have been monitoring all strange faces already milling around in
various local government areas in the state.

"Also, our intelligence reveals that the 30,000 policemen, as well as
some compromised military personnel deployed to Ekiti state, are being
positioned to embark on mass arrest and harassment of Ekiti citizens
with the view to frightening them and preventing them from
participating in the election."

PDP also alleged that "some heavily armed DSS personnel are being
deployed to work with some compromised officials of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to smuggle in preloaded card
reader machines and result sheets, to be exchanged in advance, which
they will attempt to deliver to APC agents.

"We are fully aware of the actors in this heinous plot including some
directors in INEC, particularly in its Information Communication
Technology (ICT) Department, who have been holding clandestine
meetings with APC leaders.

"We are also not unaware that the stage is being set for the APC to
use INEC to announce a pre-determined result in Ekiti State
governorship election.

"The PDP however states, in very clear and unequivocal terms, that all
these machinations will end in vain as nobody, no matter the evil
device used, be it harassment, threats, arrests or even murder, can
subjugate the people of Ekiti State and forcefully take over their
leadership in this election without their consent.

"Let the world know that the people of Ekiti State cannot be cowed or
frightened and that they are not ready or willing to allow anybody to
subvert their determined will to elect a leader of their choice.

"We want all to know that Ekiti people are fully determined to take
their destiny in their hands on July 14, 2018 and no bullet or
oppressor's whip can stop them. They are fully ready now, more than
ever before, to face all threats and harassment and to resist any
attempt to forcefully take over their state.

"Our 'eyes' have been stationed in every polling unit, every collation
center as well as every exit and entry point across the state and
those seeking to rig the election must be sure they will be stopped in
their trail with every available instrument in a democracy.

"It is a settled fact that Ekiti State is a well-known stronghold of
the PDP and we will not, in anyway, accept anything short of free,
fair and credible election, abundantly reflecting the will of the
people. Anything to the contrary might attract very terrible
consequences."