By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
#TrackNigeria: The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised alarm on alleged plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to incite violence during the governorship and house of assembly elections slated for March 9.
In an interview with Newsdiaryonline, the chairman of the APC, Alhaji Isa Achida said the party had followed utterances of the chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, which according to him, were capable of causing chaos during the March governorship election.
“We have been keenly following developments in the state since the announcement of the Presidential and National Assembly Election results.
“Rattled by the overwhelming victory of the APC across the country, and Sokoto State in Particular, the Sokoto State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has embarked on some desperate measures and actions that are both undemocratic and detrimental to peaceful coexistence.
“It is particularly pertinent to mention the inciting statements made at a youths solidarity rally held on Saturday 2nd March, 2019 in front of Sokoto Government House.
The State PDP Chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma and the Party’s Zonal Vice Chairman, Alhaji Muhammadu Dangwaggo made some unguarded and inciting statements capable of engendering a breakdown of peace and order in Sokoto State.
Achida quoted Milgoma’s alleged statements thus: “There can only be peace if we win election. We must win election by all means. We either win, or there will be death. Any government official seen at the polling unit should be beaten up,” he quoted Milgoma as allegedly saying.
Achida observed that the statements were both signs of desperation as well as a do-or-die approach to politics.
“One wonders that these unguarded and inciting statements could come from people who aspire to acquire leadership through democratic and peaceful means.
“We therefore call on the law enforcement agencies to take all necessary lawful measures to protect the peace loving people of Sokoto State.
“The statements of these individuals are not only inciting but a recipe for lawlessness and anarchy. We therefore demand the law enforcement agencies to apply appropriate sanctions to serve as deterrent to others.
“The people have rejected the incompetent PDP Government in Sokoto State during the last round of elections and are determined to vote them out of office next Saturday (InshaaAllah) through the ballot box.
“The Sokoto State Chapter of the APC will continue to tread the path of peace while ensuring that power is only attained through the expressed will of the majority rather than through threats and violent actions of the minority,” he further told Newsdiaryonline.
“The Sokoto State Chapter of the PDP is deeply pained by the massive rejection and humiliation it suffered at the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly Elections. It is equally frightened by the glaring defeat staring them in the face in the forth coming governorship and State Assembly Elections.
“Consequently, the PDP is now resorting to hiring willing religious clerics with the aim of tarnishing the good image of our great party the APC insinuating that our party has some scores to settle with the Sultanate council.
“We have learnt that some miscreants are currently organizing a demonstration at the Sultan’s palace condemning a purported plan to remove the Sultan after winning the elections. We believe that must have been a sponsored propaganda to tarnish the image of some innocent persons in their desperate efforts to win the hearts of the people Sokoto State.
“We condemn this ungodly campaign and dissociate ourselves with anything to do with such false claims. People should disregard this ranting of political dead-bodies that are due for burial InshaaAllahu next Saturday at the political cemetery.
“The APC wishes to restate its respect for our traditional institutions, particularly the Sultanate Council and will ensure it continues to serve as a rallying point for all shades of political opinions. The Sultan remains the Father of all Muslims and an embodiment of our cultural and religious values.
“Allegations abound that the PDP has perfected plans to bribe electoral officers at Local Government levels so that their supporters could be accredited to vote with P.V.C’s other than their own.
“People may wish to recall that we have previously raised alarm that the PDP have in their possession unclaimed P.V.C’s clandestinely acquired for this purpose.
“While thanking some upright officers of the INEC who refused to be lured by any undue inducement, the APC wishes to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Security Agencies to be more vigilant and rise up to the challenge posed by the PDP.
“Some unconfirmed reports have it that the PDP in Sokoto is planning to deploy Area Boys with Sokoto Marshal uniform to serve in the joint security patrol team that will monitor the forth coming elections. The Sokoto marshal is a state government owned security outfit which cannot be trusted by our party.
“In the face of the current development, there is no way they can be neutral and we therefore reject that arrangement and demand that only security agencies backed by federal laws should monitor elections. We request for a free and fair election devoid of any form of election malpractice.
“In conclusion, we wish to thank our teeming supporters for coming out massively to vote for our party. We hope they will redouble their effort next Saturday to vote for a new government in Sokoto, that will reposition Sokoto State and give President Muhammadu Buhari the kind of cooperation he requires to move this country forward,” Achida said.
