…Demands Immediate Removal Of Imo REC
….Asks INEC To Redeem Its Image
…Explains Why Dino Will Win Kogi Governorship Election
Ahead of the Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states governorship elections scheduled for November 11, 2023, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sent a strong message to other parties contesting for the elections on why their candidates stand no chance.
While the party advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Beyelsa, Timipre Sylver not to bother contesting as he stands no chance against its candidate, Duoye Diri, the party also explained why Dino Melaye and Samuel Anyanwu, their candidates for Kogi and Imo states respectively will win.
The party called for the immediate removal of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Residence Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Sylvia Agu over alleged compromised.
Addressing newsmen on Sunday at a press conference, the party spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, who asked INEC to redeem its image, also said that “the APC candidate, Timipre Sylva should have by now realized that he is alone. His Party leaders have all abandoned him.
“Timipre Sylva has no fighting chance before Governor Diri whose unprecedented achievements have endeared him to the people.
“It is still not too late for the APC Candidate to heed wise counsel and withdraw from the race to save himself from a monumental defeat.”
Speaking on Imo state election, the party, which said that Gov Hope Uzodimma doesn’t have an organic followership because he does not care for the people, explained why the Imo REC should be removed.
The party said: “The PDP for the umpteenth time demands for the immediate removal of the Imo State INEC REC, Prof. Sylvia Agu.
“The PDP and other political parties had written several letters to INEC. Recently the political parties including the PDP, LP, YPP, ADC, AA among others staged a peaceful protest to INEC demanding for her immediate removal.”
The party listed her alleged role in the 2023 National and House of Assembly elections, as among the reasons why she should be removed as Imo REC.
The party also pointed out that Prof. Sylvia Agu is a direct relation of a national officer of the APC, adding that they are not comfortable with her as Imo REC ahead of the Nov. 11 Governorship election in Imo State
“The continuing stay in office of Prof. Sylvia Agu as Imo REC is provocative, inciting and amount to testing the Will of the people of Imo State and daring them to do their worse.
“INEC has a lot of RECs from which the INEC Chairman can choose to replace Prof. Sylvia Agu and avoid a scenario that could be worse than what happened in Adamawa State Governorship election where INEC refused to change the compromised REC.
“INEC Chairman must note that the integrity of an election process is directly relation to the confidence of the electorate,” the party said.
The party, has, however called for her immediately re-deployment ahead of the governorship election in Imo.
On INEC to redeem its image, the party noted the statement by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu that INEC will make full use of its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal for uploading and electronic transmission of results in the November 11, 2023 governorship elections in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi States.
The PDP has reviewed issues relating to the conduct of the November 11, 2023 elections in the three States and states as follows:
“The PDP notes that the INEC Chairman has confirmed that the use of BVAS and IREV in this election and even in previous election is a mandatory statutory requirement of the law
“The PDP holds INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu directly responsible and accountable to his pronouncements and that INEC is bound by Law to electronically transmit results directly from the polling units using these technologies.
“The PDP is fully prepared for these elections and in line with the commitment of INEC will not accept any other means of transmitting results in these elections except as this manner pronounced by the INEC Chairman in line with requirement of Electoral Act, 2022.
“The PDP has commenced training of our polling agents at all levels to ensure total compliance to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Regulations especially as confirmed by the INEC Chairman.”
