The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council has issued a warning to the two major opposition parties, the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging them to refrain from making inflammatory comments that could further destabilize the political environment. This caution was articulated in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja by Festus Keyamo, the Chief Spokesman for the APC PCC. Keyamo noted that the council has detected subtle threats of violence emerging from the opposition camps as the results of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections began to emerge.
This warning comes in light of reports indicating that the elections were marred by violence in various regions across the country, resulting in loss of life and disruption of the voting process. In some locations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was compelled to postpone elections until today (Sunday) due to the unrest. Keyamo emphasized that for Nigeria to achieve a smooth transition from the current administration of President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the opposition must conduct themselves with decorum rather than inflaming tensions.
The statement highlighted that the APC PCC has taken note of incendiary remarks made by spokespersons from the opposition parties, particularly the PDP and the Labour Party, regarding the yet-to-be-announced election results. Keyamo pointed out that some opposition figures have threatened dire consequences if their preferred interpretations of the results are not recognized, positioning themselves as the judge, jury, and executioner of the electoral process. He also criticized the opposition for exaggerating isolated incidents of violence in APC strongholds while ignoring substantial evidence of electoral malpractice, including violence against non-Labour Party supporters and coercive practices involving women and children.
Furthermore, Keyamo addressed a specific complaint from a PDP spokesperson about a newspaper headline concerning early results, noting the contradiction in condemning the media while simultaneously making unfounded claims about the unreleased results. In contrast, the APC has chosen to remain calm, awaiting the official announcement of the results and pursuing any grievances through lawful means. Keyamo asserted that the party will not allow reckless comments to shape a narrative that misleads both citizens and the international community.
He reminded all parties that they had previously signed the Peace Accord in front of the world and that it is now imperative to adhere to its terms, prioritizing national unity over personal ambitions. The APC has campaigned vigorously, and Keyamo stated that the voices of Nigerians should be heard as the results are announced, rather than the voices of the parties themselves. He reiterated that the official body responsible for reflecting the will of the people is the INEC, and no party should attempt to intimidate it into compliance. The APC will not be silenced by the opposition’s troubling tactics.
Finally, Keyamo called on international observers and friends of Nigeria to remain focused on the electoral process as it unfolds, undistracted by the opposition’s actions.
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