TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of engaging in violence ahead of the February general election, following an attack on its supporters on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

Reacting to the incident on Wednesday through, Lai Mohammed, its spokesman, the party alleged that the attacks, reportedly by thugs working for PDP along the Bori-Saakpenwa Road in Bori, Khana local government area, followed the same pattern of previous acts of violence directed at it, its elected and appointed officials as well as its supporters by PDP thugs in the state.

It said the acts of violence unleashed on its supporters on Tuesday occurred despite assurances by President Goodluck Jonathan and Adamu Mu’azu, PDP national chairman, that the general election would be free, fair and peaceful.

“The assurances by the leadership of the PDP ring hollow when thugs affiliated with the party are ambushing peaceful and harmless supporters heading to a campaign rally. It is either the leadership is not sincere in its assurances or it has lost control of the party, which will both be dangerous for the country,” APC said.

“If the PDP has launched a campaign of violence against the APC this early, only God knows how far the ruling party will go to physically decimate the opposition before, during and after February’s elections. We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and indeed the international community to closely monitor the events during the ongoing electioneering campaign and the elections themselves.

“On our part, we will document every act of violence against our members and supporters, just so that we can show the world, with verifiable proof, which party is indeed the violent one.”

APC said the police must act fast to investigate Tuesday’s attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, in order to prevent acts of violence from marring the forthcoming polls.

Despite the violence perpetrated against its supporters, APC appealed to them not to engage in retaliatory attacks, saying its commitment to a non-violent election remain unshaken.

“We appeal to our members and supporters to remain calm but vigilant, because the forces of darkness will never allow peace to reign. Our stated commitment to a peaceful election is sacrosanct, irrespective of the acts of provocation by the PDP.”