The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the decision of the United Kingdom to sanction and impose ban as well as seizure of assets and properties of individuals involved in electoral violence, fraud and malpractices.
The United Kingdom has earlier threatened to ban anyone guilty of electoral violence and fraud ahead of the Ondo and Edo governorship elections which come up on September 19 and October 10 respectively.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the United States government imposed visa ban on election riggers during Kogi and Bayelsa states elections.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan applauded the United Kingdom for her quick response and as well as toing the path of United States.
“Our party commends the United Kingdom for her quick response alongside the United States in the global bid to stop the unbridled electoral fraud being perpetrated by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their compromised INEC and security officials”.
He therefore called on other countries such as United Arab Emirate, Dubai, France, Canada etc to follow suit.
“With the emerging global action, our party reiterates our call to other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, France, Spain, Canada as well as African countries and the ECOWAS member states to impose similar sanctions on these unscrupulous elements and their family members”, as it will help to checkmate and curb and act or idea from any individual or party to disrupt the election.
He added “On the Edo governorship election, those at the forefront of the undermining of our democratic process, including the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was seen publicly directing thugs, cultists and killers as tigers and lions to invade polling units and unleash violence on election day, should be immediately profiled for sanctions.
“The same goes to the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredelo, who was publicly exposed by a self-confessed APC militant and former APC chairman in the state, Isaac Kekemeke, as being behind the violent attacks against our party in the state.
“On our own part, the PDP remains law-abiding but will never allow anybody to use any mean whatsoever, to manipulate the Edo and Ondo governorship election”.
