The Peoples Democratic Party has described the allegation by the All Progressives Congress that the Federal Government was planning to declare a six months state of emergency throughout the country to force the postponement of the general elections as spurious.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, said this on Thursday in a statement in Abuja.
The allegation, Fani-Kayode pointed out, was aimed at whipping up sentiments and inciting violence ahead of the scheduled February 14 and 28 general elections.
Chief Fani-Kayode noted that the APC’s penchant for propaganda and threat of violence was mind-boggling.
He said: “We are not, at all, surprised about the false alarm raised by the All Progressives Congress that the PDP-controlled Federal Government is planning to declare a six-month state of emergency across the land.
“It is characteristic of the opposition to make spurious allegations in the build-up to the scheduled February general elections.
“The APC’s penchant for propaganda and threat of violence is mind-boggling. The narrative weaved together by the opposition party is disingenuous and it shows how desperate it has become in its impossible bid to dislodge the PDP-controlled Federal Government.
“It is clear that the APC now knows full well that a crushing defeat awaits it at theFebruary 14 presidential election; otherwise why would it embark on this flight of illusion about a purported plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to precipitate violence prelude to the declaration of a state of emergency?”
Fani-Kayode said the PDP was ready for the February 14 presidential elections and all subsequent elections and is therefore not party to any imagined ploy to postpone or cancel the election.
He said at no time has the PDP ever had the power to postpone or cancel elections, adding that the party has been consistent in stating its readiness for the forthcoming elections.
According to him: “We urge our numerous supporters and indeed all Nigerians to discountenance the panic-driven shenanigans of the APC.
“The inalienable right of every eligible Nigerian to participate in the political process of our great country is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended and the relevant Electoral Laws.
“The PDP has neither the right nor inclination to dictate to anyone, including members of the opposition party, how he or she participates in the electoral process.
“If the APC is afraid that its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari has fallen foul of the laws of the land, instead of crying wolf he should submit himself to the nearest police for interrogation and prosecution.
“We call on all Nigerians to be vigilant, because by its issuing this outlandish statement, the APC has unwittingly exposed its plot to whip up sentiments and incite the people to violence.”
Fani-Kayode added that the forthcoming election should not be a do-or-die affair, adding that the PDP was battle-ready and confident of victory in a free, fair and credible election on February 14 and 28.