PDP alleges ‘clandestine plot’ by APC to alter Electoral Act Amendment ahead 2023

Main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over what it described as a ‘clandestine plot’ by the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to alter the newly-passed Electoral Act 2022 ‘in order to introduce clauses that will compromise the 2023 general elections.’

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Wednesday, further alleged that the APC, ‘having realized that it is running out of time and cannot meet up with the already released electoral timetable now seeks to frustrate and derail the on-going electoral process.’

“The PDP has it on good authority that the Buhari Presidency has perfected plots to use the APC leadership in the National Assembly to orchestrate an amendment to the Electoral Act to create opening for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to alter its already released 2023 Election Timetable and Schedule of Activities to accommodate the APC.

“Our Party has information about how the APC has been mounting pressure on INEC to push forward the already scheduled dates for the 2023 general elections.

“The PDP vehemently rejects this plot by the APC which amounts to shifting the goal post in the middle of the game and cautions INEC to resist such heinous design against our democracy.

“The election timetable has already been released, political parties have commenced processes, Nigerians have since set their minds on the election dates to vote out the APC and there is no going back on that resolve,” the main opposition said.

The PDP, therefore,’ cautioned the Buhari Presidency and the APC leadership in the National Assembly to note that any attempt to alter the timetable is an invitation to serious political crisis in the country as Nigerians will firmly resist them.’

While directing all party members in the National Assembly ‘to be vigilant and firmly resist this plot, PDP also called on ‘all lovers of democracy; the Civil Society, the media, Organized Labour and the International Community to stand against this attempt by the APC to derail the democratic process.’

“The PDP will not hesitate to call out millions of our members, teeming supporters of our Party and Nigerians at large should the APC continue in this nefarious scheme.

“The APC should have nobody but itself to blame. It must bear the full consequences of its recklessness, arrogance, disregard for rules, order and gross violation of its own constitution,” the party said.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the sales of Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for elective offices ahead of the 2023 General Elections.

This is also as the party announced a rescheduling of dates already fixed for the screening of aspirants for both the State Houses of Assembly and National Assembly, including the senate and House of Representatives.

A statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Wednesday, said the closure of sales a Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for all elective offices in the 2023 General Elections has been moved from the initial date of Friday, April 1, 2022 to a new date of Friday, April 8, 2022.

“In the same vein, the last day for the return of already completed Forms as well as the Screening Exercise for both the State House of Assembly and National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) have been rescheduled as follows:

“Last Date For Submission of Already Completed Forms:

1. State House of Assembly: – Sunday, April 10, 2022 by 6pm

2. National Assembly: – Sunday, April 10, 2022 by 6pm.

Screening of Aspirants:

1. State of House of Assembly:  -Tuesday April 12, 2022.

2. National Assembly: – Thursday April 14, 2022

“All other dates remain as already published.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the last day for purchase of all Forms is now fixed for FRIDAY, April 8, 2022,” the statement read.