Presidential Election: Don’t Heat Up The Polity, Keyamo Warns PDP, LP, Others

The Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) has warned spokespersons of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and those of some other parties not to heat up the polity as the nation awaits the results of yesterday’s Presidential Election.

Keyamo said in a statement dated February 26, 2023, which he made available to the media, that spokespersons of some political parties, especially those of the PDP and the LP, “have threatened fire and brimstone if their own version of some concocted results are not announced in a bid to be the judge, jury and executioner in this elections.”

The Minister of State, Labour and Employment said further that “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.”

He however said that on the part of the APC, they 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 country over and above personal ambitions.

“We have all campaigned hard and strong. The Nigerian people have listened to all of us and made their decisions. Now is the time to hear the voices of Nigerians as the results are released and not our own voices.

“The body officially designated to reflect the voices of Nigerians is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“No Party can bully them by threats to do its own bidding. Neither will the APC be cowed into silence by this disgusting antics of the opposition parties.

“We call on the International Observers and friends of Nigeria not to be distracted, but to focus on the process as it unfolds,” the statement read.