by Ranti Joseph

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to use the various election petition tribunals across the states to take away the victories recorded by the party.

Rising from a meeting of the National Working Committee and governor and Senators-elect under its platform in Abuja on Tuesday, the PDP warned that the APC is planning to use the tribunals and salamic arrangements to truncate and subvert the freely given mandate by the people in the states and constituencies.

The outcome of the meeting, which was contained in a communiqué read by George Sekibo, a Senator-elect from Rivers state, also said the meeting vehemently frowns at the shameless undemocratic ways and means being displayed by the outgoing APC lawmakers in Ekiti state towards effecting an unconstitutional change in government.

The meeting also expressed deep concerns at what it said was the plans by the APC to make the Nigeria a one-party state using crude and underhand undemocratic practice and thus reverse the gains of the PDP-led administration.

They also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to be forthright and impartial in the handling of the various elections pending in Abia, Imo and Taraba states.

The PDP said it frowned at the “unprecedented level of intimidation, harassment and undue persecution of the party members since the INEC declaration of the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari”.

It urged the winners of various positions under the party to form a formidable opposition that can redirect the fortunes of the country and sustain the gains of the present democratic era led by President Jonathan.

“The meeting stressed the importance of unity, peace and harmony in the party for effectiveness in its new role and warned that it will not condone agents of APC working as fifth columnists to destabilize the leadership of the party,” the communiqué said.

Janeth J