Kogi/Bayelsa Polls: PDP Reps Call For Visa Ban On Sponsors Of Violence

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on foreign countries to place a visa ban and travel restrictions on Nigerians involved in the alleged manipulation, distraction and violence recorded during the governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa States conducted on November 16.

The call was made by the party’s caucus in the House of Representatives led by Kingsley Chinda.

In a statement issued by Chinda in Abuja, the PDP caucus urged other countries of the world to emulate the United States of America by moving against those who frustrate electoral and democratic processes.

“We are, therefore, joining our voice to the clarion call across the land and even internationally, for the cancellation, in its entirety, of the Kogi State elections, conducted on November 16, 2019; and the novel and, indeed, criminal conduct of ‘community voting’ in Bayelsa State, a situation where political entrepreneurs, with the active connivance of security agencies, forced people to vote for preferred candidates,” the statement read in part.

The lawmakers stated that the alleged acts offend the fundamental human rights of people to choose as well as the Constitution, which all security agents, President Muhammadu Buhari and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials swore to protect.

They further said, “There is, therefore, no reason to allow the Bayelsa, Kogi elections to stand. These elections make Nigeria a laughing stock!

“We are, therefore, calling on all nations that wish Nigeria well to join the United States of America and immediately consider the imposition of visa ban and travel restrictions on all individuals within INEC, security agencies and politicians of all political parties who are involved in any form of electoral offences and violence. This will prove to Nigerians that the world is standing with them, and deter future occurrences.

“Finally, we wish to condole with the people who lost their family members in the last week’s show of shame and we call on Nigerians to stand fast on democracy and keep sacrificing, for us to have a Nigeria that is free and prosperous.”

Recall that a PDP women leader in Kogi, Acheju Salome was on Monday gruesomely murdered.

Salome, who until her death was the Women leader of Musa Wada/Aro campaign council, Ochadama ward was burnt alive in her home by suspected thugs.

Musa Wada was the governorship candidate of the PDP in the just concluded guber polls in the state.

Her death have sparked wild reaction and condemnation from groups and individuals across the country.