PDP raises alarm over alleged discovery of electoral materials in APC situation room

The Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the state All Progressives Congress, APC, to explain why sensitive electoral materials like BVAS, ballot papers and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, staff are at an apartment that serves as its situation room in the state.

The state Chairman of the PDP, Bar. Tanko Beji made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the party’s secretariat on the issue in Minna.

He urged the INEC to as a matter of urgency cancel the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state, saying plans were made by the ruling APC to use INEC and security personnel to rig the March 11 governorship election.

According to him, “We have it on record that plans are being made by the APC to use the INEC and security agencies to rig the forthcoming Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.”

He continued, “We have our facts and evidence, some people call that place a situation room. What are they doing with various electoral materials Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, PVCs?

“These items were found there; what were INEC adhoc staff who are National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and stalwarts of the APC doing at the said apartment?”

Recall that the APC had claimed that the state police stormed the situation room of its governorship candidate, Hon. Umar Bago in Minna, the state capital on Sunday.

Beji further stated that with the discovery, the ruling party should explain to Nigerlites what they are doing with electoral materials in the said apartment.

“Therefore, we are calling on the INEC to hasten the cancellation of the February 25 elections and the police need to seal off the apartment, find out what corps members who are adhoc staff were doing there,” he maintained.

The Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Wasiu, who confirmed the development in a statement, explained that two persons were nabbed for false information and attempting to cause breach of peace in the state.

The police said, “On 5/03/2023 at about 1500hrs, information was received that some persons were found in a building at Bosso Estate thumbprinting ballot papers towards the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

“Unfortunately, on entering the building and based on preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the information is false.”

The police spokesman further noted that the informant identified as Engr Ndagi and one other were immediately arrested for giving false information and attempting to cause breach of peace at the scene.