Supplementary Election: PDP alleges plan to rig party’s candidate; Atiku solicit support in Adamawa, Kebbi States; Police order restriction of movement in Sokoto
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party have begged voters in Adamawa and Kebbi States to support the party.
In a statement by his spokesperson Paul Ibe, Atiku enjoined the electorate to support his party’s standard bearers.
In his home state Adamawa, 36,935 voters in 69 polling units (PUs) are expected, according to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari.
PDP’s Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is seeking re-election, though faces a strong contender, Senator Aisha Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Kebbi, 94,209 voters in 142 PUs are expected to cast their ballot to determine the winner between APC’s Nasir Idris and PDP’s Aminu Bande, a retired General.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed April 15 for supplementary elections in the states.
The election will be conducted in five senatorial districts, 31 federal constituencies and 58 state assembly constituencies.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party say it will not fold its hands and allow antidemocratic elements to rig out it’s Governorship candidate in Saturday polls but instead use all constitutional means to protect it’s votes.
Speaking at a press conference in Yola the Director General of the party campaign organisation, Awwal Tukur said that series of complains have been raised against Resident Electoral Commissioner to excuse himself by the PDP but it fell into deaf ear.
He said that the PDP will to go to the polls and would monitor all the materials assigned for the exercise for credibility sake.
He however called on the party supporters to come out in their numbers and vote for the party candidate as well as defend their votes.
The coalition of INEC accredited domestic election observers have condemned various protests and called for the removal of Adamawa REC by some political actors.
Addressing a press conference in Yola the coalition team Leader said that election is not won through back door measure stressing that the body have deployed 153 observers for the supplementary polls.
On Saturday the Police in Sokoto State have ordered restrictions from 12:00 am to 6:00 pm on April 15, for the rescheduled National Assembly Supplementary elections in the state.
This is contained in a statement by DSP Sanusi Abubakar, the command`s Police Public Relations Officer on Friday in Sokoto.
Abubakar said the order which was in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, include in all the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
The commissioner assured residents that the Police will coordinate effectively with other security agencies, in ensuring a safe and secure space for the exercise.
He advised parents to discourage their children and wards from engaging in violence during the elections.
