The All Progressives Congress (APC) had dissociated itself from the call for boycott of the rerun elections in Plateau state.
TheHintsNews reports that the State Chairman of the Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had during a press conference held Thursday called for the boycott of the Saturday rerun election in state.
The IPAC Chairman, Dogara Abubakar claimed to be speaking on behalf of all political parties in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is comducting the rerun election in Saturday to fill the vacant seats of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency and Plateau North Senatorial District.
However, APC State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Sylvanus Namang in a statement issued Thursday described the press conference by the State IPAC as self-serving.
He noted: “The APC for the avoidance of doubt, hereby totally and unequivocally dissociates itself from the position of IPAC which is purportedly on behalf of all political parties in the State.
“We see the so-called press briefing by the IPAC Chairman as self-serving and a mere expression of personal views which has no bearing on our position as a political party.
“He claimed that the position was taken this morning when it was realised that the PDP is not participating in the election and “we agreed that we should support one another”.
“The whole statement smacks of contempt of Court and an affront on the integrity of the judiciary as well as derogation of the Constitutional role of the INEC.”
Namang pointed out that this was a manifest and gross betrayal of trust by Abubakar as no such meeting was held.
He added: “We want to clearly dismiss his claim as that of a political merchant and a PDP apologist which in a sane democratic clime he should immediately resign from the position as he has betrayed the confidence of political parties in the State. This calls to question why his party has allowed him to remain the SDP Chairman for over 18 years! When has IPAC become a law unto itself?
“Just as he was addressing the press, we also witnessed yet another virulent and bizzare outburst by the State Publicity Secretary of the PPD, John Akans, which is as threatening to our democracy and peace as it stands utterly condemnable.”
The APC called on the security agents to act immediately and proactively to stem the tide before the state is thrown into another cycle of violence and disruption.
Namang noted: “The rerun and by-elections are taking place in 18 states of the federation. That of Plateau State like other States should be allowed to run its full course.
“We are perturbed that a supposed ruling party whose duty it is to protect lives and property in addition to maintaining peace would be threatening rain, thunder and brimstone! Should anyone holding an egg in his hands allow it to break?
“All said and done, the APC in the state is fully prepared for the Saturday rerun election which we remain very confident that our candidates, Amb. Chris Musa Giwa and Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan would emerge victorious as Senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District and Member Representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency respectively.”