The All Progressives Party (APC) has handed a warning to the opposition parties notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) against reckless allegations over the yet-to-be-released results of last Saturdays presidential and national assembly elections in Nigeria.
The party, which gave the warning in an issued statement yesterday by the Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Barr. Festus Keyamo, said continuous reeling out of spurious claims and indecorous statements could incite the citizens.
Keyamo, who is presently the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, states amongst others:
Our attention has been drawn to some incendiary comments by spokespersons of the opposition parties, notably the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) regarding the yet-to-be-announced results of the elections that were held yesterday. Some of them have threatened fire and brimstone if their own versions of some concocted results are not announced in a bid to be the judge, jury and executioner in this election.
Similarly, to rile up their supporters against the country, they play up some isolated incidents of violence in our strongholds, whereas we have tons of videos of massive electoral malpractices like violence against non-LP supporters, forcing and guiding women and children to thumb-print ballot papers for LP and massive thumb-printing of ballot papers by both PDP and LP supporters in some parts of the country.
In addition, in one breath one of the spokespersons of the PDP complained about a certain headline in a newspaper about early results, yet in condemning the newspaper, he also makes unfounded claims about the yet-to-be-released results.
On our part, we have decided to be calm to await the official announcement of the results and to pursue any grievance (if any) in a lawful manner. But we shall not sit back and allow such unguided comments to gain grounds in order to foist a particular narrative on our citizens and the international community.
Recall that all parties signed the Peace Accord twice before the eyes of the world. Now is the time to abide by the terms of that accord and show love for the country over and above personal ambitions, he further stated.
