Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has urged Nigerian voters not to give in to apathy and promised that the Independent National Electoral Commission’s alleged “electoral fraud” will soon be rectified.
In advance of the elections for governor and state House of Assembly on March 18, Atiku made the assertion in a broadcast on Wednesday.
The candidate for president said, “All hope is not lost. You must never succumb to inaction. As I advocate for our regaining our mandate, I can assure you that INEC’s electoral fraud will be rectified in due time.
While acknowledging Nigerians’ immense and strong sense of patriotism for overcoming numerous obstacles to perform their civic duty in the presidential election on February 25, the former vice president praised their resilience, tenacity, and courage.
“It is truly heartwarming that you have faith in saving and rebuilding our great country, as our great party, the PDP, intended,”
He added, “As attested to by both local and international observers, the result of the February 25 presidential election as announced by the INEC was grossly tainted and did not reflect the will of the electorates,” and thanked Nigerians for their nonviolent behavior in the face of the threats. Through various means, you have all demonstrated against this flagrant injustice.
“In point of fact, what INEC did when it announced the manipulated result was a clear violation of not only the Electoral Act of 2022 but also its own guidelines. The electoral commission had repeatedly claimed that it would uphold the standards we had seen in the elections for Osun and Ekiti. In addition, the calls for a process review in accordance with the amended law were ignored by the INEC chairman.
As the March 18 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections beckon, I urge you as patriotic citizens of our dear country to come out in your numbers to cast your votes. He maintained that they must continue to demonstrate resilience in the defense of Nigeria’s democracy and exercise of their rights to vote. That is one strategy you can employ to oppose the fraudulent election on February 25.
He continued, “Be sure to cast your votes for the candidates of the PDP, the only true national party, for a greater and prosperous Nigeria” on Saturday in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
