The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working to truncate the hard-earned democracy in the country.
Secondus said that indicators on ground showed that the APC is not preparing to conduct free and fair elections in 2019.
He told a visiting team of European Union (EU)-led by Ketil Karlsen that the party was concerned at the emerging signs that 2019 elections might be rigged.
In a statement by his media adviser, Mr Ike Abonyi, Secondus told his visitors that the government and its agencies were not realistically preparing for free and fair election.
“What we see is marshal system of framing up opposition leaders and trying to intimidate them
“They are not ready to observe the rule of law and there is no democracy without rule of law.
“We conducted election in 2015, the party and the Presidential candidate did not go to court, we had smooth transition because we believe in the rule of law
“Nigeria as the largest black nation in the globe cannot afford crisis because of the huge effect it would have in the continent and the entire global democratic community if democracy is truncated.
Prince Secondus then appealed to the EU and other international partners to keep a watch on Nigeria ahead 2019 and put pressure on the government and INEC for a free, fair and credible election.
He said that the European Union’s visit is coming at the appropriate time given that President Muhammadu Buhari has just indicated interest to re-contest for a second term in 2019.
Prince Secondus stated that the PDP is mobilising its members and other Nigerians ahead of the election through its rebranding project that is targeted at youths and women.
Secondus to EU: APC, INEC working to truncate democracy
