The party, in a communiqué signed by its national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole after an emergency meeting of it caucus in Abuja today, Monday, asked the electoral umpire to take steps to correct this anomaly to ensure fairness and credibility of the electoral process.
The Caucus expressed curiosity over the fact that certain leaders of the PDP had full knowledge of the plan to postpone the elections hours before INEC made the announcement.
The Caucus stressed the need for INEC to demonstrate its independence and neutrality beyond doubts in all of its activities before, during and after the period of elections as rescheduled.
It expressed deep regrets over the unfortunate death of some of the party’s members due to stampede as a result of overwhelming crowds during the party’s presidential campaigns in some states of the federation.
“Notwithstanding the disappointment over the postponement, the Caucus urged all APC members across the country to rise above this temporary setback,” the communique said.
The Caucus called on security agencies to ensure that those involved in violence, ballot box snatching, and falsification of election results faced the full weight of the law.
It charged members of the party to recommit themselves to working with re-doubled efforts for the victory of all its candidates in the February 23 and March 9 rescheduled dates for the elections.
It advised all APC members to immediately commence campaigns in line with the provisions of Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, which stated clearly that campaigns should stop 24 hours to the elections.
“Our party will therefore abide by the provisions of the law.”
The APC national caucus which is a statutory organ of the party, was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari and had the Vice President and all the party’s former and serving governors as members.
Its membership also includes the party’s serving governors and members of its National Working Committee (NWC), among others.
Source: NAN.
