Bye-Elections: APC, PDP Accuse Each Other Of ‘Rigging’

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Monday, accused the People’s Democratic People (PDP) of engaging in electoral malpractice in Saturday’s bye-elections in states across the country.

The APC also claimed that its victories in most of the bye-elections were proof that Nigerians still believed in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as well as its party.

In a statement signed by APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, the party stated that its political expansion was widening across the country.

“From Imo, Bauchi, Lagos, Plateau and other states were Saturday’s concurrent legislative by-elections were conducted across the country, the massive electoral victories recorded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a solid display and pointer that the APC remains the only political party with a true national appeal and acceptance by Nigerians, across geo-political zones and sundry groupings.

“Although the by-elections were largely peaceful and hitch-free, we must continue to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant bodies ensure the credibility and efficiency of our election processes. The APC continues to advocate against election illegalilites such as vote buying and other emerging frauds which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and their agents are hellbent on foisting on our electioneering processes.

But the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, has alleged that the APC rigged the bye-elections, adding that the party was desperate to retain power.

“The shameful enterprise witnessed in Zamfara only goes to further confirm how the APC rigged isolated bye-elections in Katsina, Kogi, Borno and Lagos where INEC officers were used to allocate fictitious figures away from the genuine ballots cast, which placed the PDP in clear lead.

“Such resort to rigging by the APC only confirmed its heightened unpopularity given the failures of its administrations both at federal and state levels, including wrecking our economy and pampering terrorists, bandits and kidnappers who are ravaging our communities and murdering our compatriots in the most vicious manner,” he stated.