Why We Decided To Protest At INEC Headquarters – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed the reason for its planned ‘black’ protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja today (Monday).

Recall that the PDP, in a memo signed by the Director of Administration, Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Ibrahim Bashir, had informed its members of the planned protest.

The party said its National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, is set to lead the ‘black’ protest at the headquarters of the electoral body and advised all members to dress in black uniforms.

The PDP also asked its members to join the protest which would take off from the party’s headquarters, Legacy House in the Maitama area of Abuja by 10 am.

It also invited the PDP presidential running mate and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, and other governors elected on the platform of the party to the protest march.

Also invited were former Senate Presidents, David Mark and Bukola Saraki, Board of Trustees members, National Executive Committee members, National Working Committee members, Directors, Deputy and Assistant Directors of the National Election Management Committee, Presidential Campaign Council members as well as Persons Living With Disabilities.

In a chat with The Punch on Sunday, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the planned protest was to show the party’s displeasure over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

He said the just-concluded election was flawed and marred by irregularities and disenfranchisement of voters in some states of the federation, insisting that the election should be canceled.

Abdullahi said: “It (the protest) is to register its grievances and disenchantment following the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.”

Recall that INEC declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the just-concluded presidential election.

Tinubu polled 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the PDP who had 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) who secured 6,101,533 votes.

Following the declaration, the PDP rejected the declaration of Tinubu as the president-elect, saying its flagbearer won the election.