Johnson Babajide, Makurdi
The All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party in Benue have accused each other of plots to rig the forthcoming governorship election in the State.
The APC in a statement issued by the party Publicity Secretary, Daniel Ihomun accused the PDP of plans to boycott BVAS by influence the reposting of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission and to instigate violence in APC stronghold through the use of members of Community Volunteers Guards.
“A secret meeting was held recently, in Government House where a plan was hatched to rig the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election that is slated for Saturday, 11/3/2023
“The plan is to totally boycott BVAS, influence the reposting of INEC Staff (Polling Officers, Collation Officers and returning Officers), create violence in APC strongholds, engage in vote buying and use members of the recently established Community Volunteer Guards to instigated crisis in border communities to whip up anti-Fulani and religious sentiments amongst the people for political gain ( this has already begun with attacks in Gwer West, Guma and Kwande Local Government Areas)” the statement read in parts.
The party called on INEC to put modalities in place to check incidences of non-use of the BVAS during the Gubernatorial and State Assembly election in the state through the early opening and closing of polls on Election day and the protection of polling units, Collation Centres and the protection of Staff.
It also called on the people of the state not to be intimidated but to come out enmass the party just as it charged security agencies in the State to be alert of the plots.
Meanwhile the PDP in the State said that the governorship election is about the home affairs and stated that the party and it’s supporters need extra vigilance to ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act.
According to the statement issued by the party Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom said in the statement that “they (APC) have all reasons to be gripped by the fear they are exhibiting as for sure PDP in Benue under the leadership of Governor Samuel Ortom will not on March 11th BLINDLY trust in the electoral system put in place and run by APC as we did on February 25th – we will maintain EXTRA-VIGILANCE at the polling units and collation centres and INSIST at every point on STRICT COMPLIANCE with provisions of the Electoral Act for conduct of the elections.
“APC in Benue has every reason to fear since March 11th will be more about our local situation here at home, about the people and what will be their fate under PDP who have promised and resolved to sustain the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law and progressively improve on its enforcement as a proven antidote to the land-grab agenda of the herdsmen.
