by Stanley Azuakola

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its national publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, has fired some harsh words at the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Now the countdown is on, surely we would be hearing a response soon from Lai Mohammed (the ACN publicity secretary,) who never allows shots against his party pass.

Olisa Metuh’s criticism of the ACN came against the backdrop of last weekend’s local government election in Akwa Ibom State, which observers generally criticised as being seriously flawed.

Metuh accused the ACN of perpetrating a high level of hooliganism and electoral malpractice which “resulted in loss of lives.” He warned the ACN to “desist forthwith from anti-democratic practices as witnessed in the latest electoral violence in Akwa Ibom State.”

The PDP National publicity secretary then launched into what he described as the “signature tune” of the ACN. His words:

“It is unfortunate the ACN has deconstructed the word ‘Action’ in their name as being synonymous with war, fighting, blackmail, abuse and intimidation. The ACN has relied on these archaic, barbaric and guerrilla tactics to gain undue political advantage in the past.

“ACN has a history of violence as was evident in Ondo state earlier this year when one of the chieftains of the Party publicly threatened the Labour Party with more violence following a day of violent clashes between supporters of both parties in Akure.”

Then he warned that “this tactics will no longer work starting with the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State. This is a promise.”

He called on the relevant security agencies to do everything possible to ensure a peaceful and transparent election and protect the lives and property of Edo people. He also charged election monitors and observers to brace to the challenge of the governorship election in a manner that would stand the test of time.