PDP campaign rejects IG’s vote-and-go-home order

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation has rejected a recent order by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, asking the electorate not to stay back at the polling units after casting their votes.

The PDP campaign said party supporters should stay back at the various polling units to check rigging and other forms of electoral irregularities.

The Director-General of PDPPCO and a former PDP national chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Alli, said this in Abuja on Sunday evening at the official endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria.

Alli said, “During elections, vote and do not look for any trouble. After voting, stay with your votes and ensure that you follow them when they are counting your votes. Do not allow them to rig. Stay with them and ensure nothing happens to the votes.

“A lot has been said about this election. I want to bring an aspect to you, which is vital; the changing of guards at the presidential villa is crucial because it is our post-100 years of co-existence. We must use this election to prove our enemies wrong. Goodluck Jonathan is our solution to the series of problems we have in this country. He is well tested and has risen through the ranks to become the President. Can you say such a man does not have experience?

“Our product is marketable unlike the other old man, who is part of my generation. He wants to come and rule this nation in this age when everyone is moving to endorse younger leaders. We must support Jonathan to ensure that the old are not allowed to come back.”

In their separate speeches at the event, the Federal Capital Territory minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his counterpart in Special Duties/Labour, Alhaji Taminu Turaki (SAN), listed what they said had been the achievements of Jonathan.

Mohammed said, “Jonathan’s government is sincere. When Jonathan came on board, he came with an agenda and not propaganda. I am not surprised that ALGON could find Mr. President worthy enough of endorsement. It was Mr. President that insisted that allocations meant for local governments get to them directly. That is the kind of leader we need. Jonathan has intervened in all the sectors of the economy. The only way to appreciate him is to vote for him.”

Turaki said, “Everybody is aware that ALGON is a body of elected LG chairmen in Nigeria. They hold the trust of grassroots people that they represent. The wish of many Nigerians today is that President Goodluck Jonathan should be returned. Never in the history of Nigeria has there been a leader who is bent on making the life of Nigerians better.

“Even if you want changes, people will want positive changes. Even if Jonathan has touched the lives of people, he can do more. That is why we must return him.”