The Peoples Democratic Party's National Chairman, Mr. Iyorchia Ayu, will lead a protest march to the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja on Monday
(today) in response to the results of the presidential election held on February 25.
However, the incident has raised concerns in the Federal Capital Territory as people feared the march might degenerate into violence as a result of the ire over the conduct and results of the elections.
The march is scheduled to leave from the PDP headquarters, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, at 10 a.m. Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Bala Mohammed of Bucchi, Darius Ishaku of Taraba, and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State are expected to take part.
Bola Tinubu, the standard bearer for the All Progressives Congress, was proclaimed the victor of the election on Wednesday by the electoral commission after receiving 8, 794, 726 votes, or 25% of the total votes cast in 30 states.
However, the PDP and Labour parties rejected the election's results in separate press conferences, claiming victory and pledging to fight the verdict in court.
However, the PDP on Sunday extended an invitation to the protest march to Ayu, Okowa, and other governors in a memo signed by the director of administration on behalf of the director general of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Tambuwal.
David Mark and Bukola Saraki, both former Senate presidents, as well as members of the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, the Directors, Deputy Directors, and Assistant Directors of the National Election Management Committee, the Presidential Campaign Council, and People with Disabilities were also invited.
It said, "I am directed to cordially invite your excellencies: The National Chairman, Dr. Iyrochia Ayu; The Vice Presidential Candidate and Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okowa; The Governors of Akwa Ibom and Chairman of PCC, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; The Governors of Sokoto state and DG of PCC, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; and The
Former Senate Presidents David Mark and Abubakar Bukola Saraki, members of the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, PDP senators and members of the House of Representatives, members of the party's National Working Committee, DDGs, directors, deputy directors, and assistant directors of the NCMC, members of the PCC, and representatives of the People Living with Disabilities, among other stakeholders, are invited to a protest match at the INEC office.
Attendees are instructed to dress in all-black to reflect the somber atmosphere of the event.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP's deputy national publicity secretary, indicated that the demonstration was intended to demonstrate the party's displeasure with the faulty election and its insistence that it should be called off.
In response to the recently held presidential and National Assembly elections, "it (the demonstration) seeks to register its frustrations and discontent," he stated.
However, the APC warned the PDP against using its planned street march to encourage people to breach the law.
Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, responded to the planned demonstration by saying that it was sad that the PDP had to resort to a public disruption rather than concentrating on the legal action it had taken to challenge the outcome of Saturday's presidential election.
APC cautions PDP
On a general note, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu defeated the PDP in the election, he said. He is the president-elect because of this. The PDP has expressed interest in contesting the election in court. One hopes that they refrain from violating any laws while airing any grievances they may have regarding the election's results.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, our candidate who won the election and is now the president-elect, said, "I am quite sure the PDP understands there are laws that govern public conduct in this country. Hence the need to do nothing to instigate a crisis that is unnecessary."
Bala Ibrahim, the APC's director of publicity, stated in a similar spirit that as long as the protest was peaceful, no one would have any complaints.
Ibrahim further cautioned that the APC would react "accordingly" if it turned out to be a covert danger to the nation's democracy.
"I don't think it's necessarily a protest," he continued. A press conference might take place. So I'll propose letting them speak out first. Afterwards, we'll observe their conduct and demonstration to see what they say. There is nothing wrong with it as long as it is democratic and peaceful.
"But, if it turns out to be something else, the ruling party will respond appropriately. We are democratic and wish to play the game in accordance with democratic principles, which give the minority a voice while the majority gets its way, he said.
However, several Abuja residents voiced concern that criminals would use the protest march as cover to start mischief.
They also noted that the circumstance can spiral out of hand and trigger unrest throughout the entire city.
Chiamaka Godwin expressed her wishes for a peaceful demonstration and added that since the election she had been working from home out of fear of violence.
"Even though I'm based in Maitama, tomorrow we'll be working remotely. Due to potential post-election violence, we haven't visited the office since the election. Nonetheless, I fervently hope and pray that no (violence) occurs tomorrow. This nation already faces enough issues, she remarked.
Another local voiced concern that something might go wrong during the rally to our reporter but asked to remain nameless.
People are furious. Naturally, some people might start to bother others. The INEC office, however, I hope they don't attack. They (INEC) are under too much heat, and tempers could fray. Much like they did during the results compilation, I just hope the police keep the area secure. I need to leave for work.
Victor Ademola, a different local, urged the demonstrators to remain calm while advising the police to be ready to manage the situation.
Did you notice the guns the police were carrying during the elections and the footage of the criminals who were shot down at a polling place? I'd just tell everyone to keep their cool. These guards are following orders. They aren't playing, he observed.
Police FCT
Yet according to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, enough protection will be provided, as well as the safety of people and their property, throughout the parade.
In a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar, the FCT's commissioner of police, provided the assurance.
He stated, "There are numerous types of protests. Our responsibility is to guarantee a peaceful protest. I cannot, however, judge whether their protest is appropriate or inappropriate.
"Our job is to maintain tranquility and calm throughout the FCT. The safety of everyone's life and property is our responsibility, and we will safeguard everyone.
The chairman of the Transmission Monitoring Committee, Ibrahim Rafasajani, has stated that protests are an integral component of democratic culture and should not be discouraged as such.
Yet, in an effort to forge a government of national unity, he urged representatives of the president-elect to cease making fun of election losers.
"In my opinion, peaceful, non-violent protests are an integral element of the democratic culture and shouldn't be discouraged if individuals have good justifications for doing so.
A government of national unity is another pledge made by the president-elect. That's a positive trend, and we urge him to make that move because the election was fiercely contested and some of the president-spokespersons elect's need to stop making fun of other political parties and their candidates, particularly those who ran in the election and did well, he said.
The PDP's planned protest, according to Idayat Hassan, executive director of the Centre for Democracy and Development, is a sign of a developing democracy.
She was hoping that security personnel wouldn't use excessive force.
The Nigerian constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech, and the APC protested throughout prior elections.
"It shows us that democracy is developing, and this will be a significant occasion, particularly if all of the current Governors attend. To prevent the breakdown of law and order, we only hope that security personnel won't resort to using excessive force.
Adebanjo criticizes the poll
Ayo Adebanjo, the head of the Yoruba sociocultural organization Afenifere, commented on the presidential election, calling the results a "sham".
Following his letter requesting the delay of the results' collation in order to address the opposition parties' accusations of fraud, the elder statesman also chastised Olusegun Obasanjo's detractors.
Adebanjo stated that the election results were "simply the result of a bad regime; a disaster that God will enable us to get rid of" in an interview with Arise TV.
He criticized the INEC and added that the body needs to respond to some questions posed by Nigerians.
I can promise you that there is absolutely no president-elect, he said. This is only a ruse that will be exposed in due time. We are all present and active witnesses to this game.
Why don't you observe the law throughout the election; that would only be tranquil. Those who are criticizing move on from the problem and focus on OBJ; the message is that the man claims that you haven't done ABC; respond to that. Pick on the messenger, you say.
"On this occasion, the question is not whether you win or lose, but rather, is the election being conducted according to the law? Have you complied with it? That's the issue, so let them respond. Why are you dragging this out?