The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong disapproval of the intended visit by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, to the state less than 24 hours before Saturday’s governorship poll.
The PDP asserted that this visit would worsen the already tense security situation in the state. In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Ebiye Ogoli, the state PDP Publicity Secretary, conveyed the party’s dismay, pointing out that Mr. Ganduje’s visit comes after the INEC-stipulated period for campaign activities by political parties had expired at midnight on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
The PDP emphasized that Ganduje is neither an international nor local observer accredited for Saturday’s election, nor is he a registered voter in Bayelsa, hailing from the distant Kano State. The party contended that Ganduje’s presence in Bayelsa could affirm the allegation that the APC aims to manipulate the election, compromising both the electorate and the electoral process.
Mr. Ogoli emphasized the party’s commitment to responsible leadership and called for leaders who would uphold democracy, peace, progress, and accelerated development. The PDP urged Ganduje to cancel his visit, citing the existing security concerns and emphasizing that the party would not tolerate any attempts to manipulate the election.
The statement reiterated the PDP’s confidence in its candidate, Governor Douye Diri, citing favorable indicators from various Entrance Polls that suggest he is leading and poised to win the governorship election across all eight local government areas of the state.