Adedokun Waliyu 
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that it will not accept votes from areas that are not accessible for the conduct of the general elections.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), Asokoro in Abuja on Friday, National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, said unlike the other parties, the PDP is counting on the votes of Nigerians, adding that “We shall hit the ground running, when, by the grace of God and the votes of Nigerians, PDP returns to power next year.
“Our focus must remain on retaking power from the ruling APC next February so we can commence the restoration work which was truncated in 2015.
“The PDP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to keep his word of ensuring that the 2023 elections are free, fair, transparent and credible. Both the presidency and the APC must not intimidate INEC or its functionaries in any way: let every vote count.”
“We will not accept the questionable harvests of votes from inaccessible areas as happened in previous elections under the APC.”
The Chairman also called on the international community, “especially the US, European Union, the Commonwealth and the African Union to sustain their interest in the democratic project in Nigeria through diplomatic pressures, political contacts and large, high-calibre observer missions.”
Addressing journalists shortly after the commissioning, the Presidential Candidate of the party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar commended Ayu and the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for reactivating the PDI.
He said the PDI was established to promote research, training and other aspects of human development of our party. “This institute will conduct a number of things from research to training to capacity building among other things.
“Let me commend everybody who was involved in resuscitating this institute, I want to assure you, if we have the opportunity again to be elected by the Nigerian people we will make sure that a permanent building is made available for the PDI.”
