The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state has on Wednesday warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the state not to succumb to pressures from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to change the result of the Saturday’s elections.
PDP Presidential Campaign Coordinator in the state, Dr. Nureni Adeniran gave this warning at a press conference in Ibadan, the state capital.
Adeniran who called on the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Barrister Mutiu Agboke and other INEC staff not to succumb to pressures from the ruling party, however said that the need to raise the alarm was necessary in order to avoid a situation where the results of the rescheduled elections would be altered.
Adeniran said, “We hereby call on the staff and Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo state and other relevant agencies who are saddled with one responsibility or the other for the forthcoming elections not to succumb to pressure from the ruling party or any one at all to carry out any illegal and untoward practices that could change the will of the people which can truncate our fledging democracy.
“The essence of this press conference is to raise the alarm. We don’t want a situation where the ruling party, APC will intimidate or harass INEC officials or REC to change the will of the people.
“What the people want should play out. Electoral processes must take place as stated. We can’t completely keep quiet.
“The best thing we could do is to cry out. What we are saying is that we should cry out on time, we don’t want a situation where the will of the people will be changed.
“As a party, we do not cry foul where there is none.
“However, it has been brought to our attention that the ruling party, APC has been threatening, intimidating and pressuring the top echelon of INEC to do their unlawful biddings.
“Allegations of outright thumb printing at the government house leveled against the governor since last week has not been refuted up till now.
Adeniran while speaking further, demanded investigation into the alleged votings at the Oyo state government house.
He said, “We demand investigation into this allegation since our campaign council was inundated with calls from different quarters”.