Delta Central Senatorial Bye-Election: PDP Uses Security Agents, Thugs To Intimidate Voters - APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the PDP of using security agents to intimidate voters while preventing voting materials from reaching polling units in opposition strongholds during Saturday's bye-election in Delta Central Senatorial district.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said reports from its agents on the field indicate that armed soldiers and policemen were deployed strategically to intimidate voters, while trailers and tankers were used to block the roads leading to opposition strongholds, thereby preventing voting materials from reaching there.

''Worst-hit areas are Ughelli North; Udu and Uvwie Local Governments, which are the strongholds of the APC. Also, several Hilux vehicles loaded with armed soldiers were sent to Okpe Local Government Ward 8 Collation Centre since Friday night.

''Though materials were moved from the distribution centre to local government headquarters overnight, the PDP, using security agents and thugs, have succeeded in ensuring that the materials are not being ferried to polling units

in several wards.

''In Sapele Ward 8, security agents even beat up voters even before the start of accreditation, thus scaring them away from polling units. In Udu LG Ward 7, election materials were seized by thugs. These strategies are all aimed at scaring away voters and suppressing votes in opposition strongholds.

''In Ughelli South, the INEC official is insisting that 19 booklets of ballot papers and 197 loose sheets (ballot papers) be given to the Jeremy Ward 2 of the Delta State Deputy Governor, even after materials have been shared to all the wards, including Jeremy Ward 2. If the INEC official has his way, the extra materials will be abused by the PDP.

''These conditions are not conducive to the conduct of a free, fair and credible elections, and we call on those saddled with providing security for the election to act fast and arrest the trend before it degenerates into violence and disenfranchises voters.