The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s largest opposition political party, has warned against plans to impose a state-of-emergency in Anambra for the November 6 elections, which was hinted at by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting.
This was disclosed in a statement by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
The party warned that any plan to impose a state-of-emergency in the South Eastern state would be used by the FG to manipulate the process and rig the governorship election for its preferred party candidate.
What the PDP is saying
“The PDP insists that the Federal Government has the capacity to ensure peace in Anambra before, during and even after the election, if it so desired.
“We therefore, invite the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government to be guided accordingly,” the party stated.
They added that it was the FG’s responsibility to maintain peace in Anambra, before, during and after the state election, warning that the reported move to foist an emergency rule on Anambra state was a ploy to suppress the people, manipulate the process and rig the governorship election for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate.
What you should know
Nairametrics reported that the FG announced that it would likely impose a state of emergency in Anambra State to tighten security ahead of the November 6 governorship elections in the state.
It was disclosed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami said the government would do everything possible to ensure the protection of lives and property, adding that where there was evidence of failure of the state government to ensure democratic order and security of lives, the Federal Government would prevail and would not rule out the possibility of imposing a state of emergency.
