Osun Poll: Saraki, Dogara, Secondus Lead Protest to INEC HQ …
Police Summon protesters
Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accompanied by the party’s presidential aspirants, yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and that of the police to demand the declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the governor-elect of Osun State.
Also yesterday, the Police summoned Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senators Dino Melaye and Ben Bruce for alleged attack on policemen at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The party leaders, who took part in the peaceful protest included the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, a former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose, Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Dino Melaye, former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, presidential aspirant, Prof. Datti Baba-Ahmed, Senator Ben-Murray Bruce, among others.
The PDP leaders matched peacefully to the headquarters of INEC to demand free, fair and credible elections in 2019, and later headed to the Force Headquarters of the Nigerian Police where they were teargased by policemen.
The party leaders said that the protest was an introduction to civil disobedience, adding that the party had agreed that it would do everything within the ambit of law to reclaim every stolen mandate.
However, the police erected a barricade to prevent the PDP leaders from entering their premises, and proceeded to shoot teargas at them, forcing the protesters to retreat in different directions.
At INEC headquarters, the Senate President said that Nigeria had raised the standard of the electoral processes before the present INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu came on board, warning the electoral body against taking the country backward.
The PDP leader demanded that the 2019 elections must be free, fair and credible, stressing that there was need to put an end to the issue of inconclusive election.
Saraki warned INEC that Nigerians would not take elections that are not credible, while urging the
He stated: “We are here representing millions of Nigerians to speak to you; that INEC you have a responsibility by law, by the constitution to do what is right to all Nigerians.
“Enough is enough of elections that are not credible. Enough is enough of impunity. Enough is enough of harassment. INEC you met a standard, don’t take us back.
“Nigeria has raised the standard of electoral processes, take us forward, don’t take us backward. The last two elections have been said to be a sham by people all over the villages and towns of Africa, and in other continents. INEC, enough is enough. “Just last night, the Senate and Congress in the United States of America issued a statement saying enough is enough. We must have credible elections in Nigeria. You are not a department, or a division of the APC. You represent the entire Nigeria and Nigerians are saying give us free and credible election.”
Also, the national chairman of the party warned that the country was sitting on a keg of gun powder, noting that Nigerians were aware of the activities of INEC and the police.
According to Secondus, “You are pushing Nigerians to the wall, and when you push them to the wall there would be resistance. We hope we will not get there, but this will serve as a notice.”
The opposition leaders again demanded that INEC Chairman and INEC National Commissioner, Amina Zakariyau should resign, saying “she is the manipulator of all elections.”
On his part, Tambuwal urged the INEC chairman not to allow anybody, no matter how high, to use him to undermine the will of Nigerians.