PDP Guber Candidate Reveals What Happened In Borno During 2023 Presidential Election

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Borno State in the March 18 gubernatorial election, Mohammed Jajari, has alleged irregularities during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.

According to him, there were cases of vote-buying and non-use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine during the February 25th poll.

Jajari, hopeful of unseating the incumbent Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Babagana Zulum, reiterated that the last polls were far from free, fair and credible.

Naija News understands that Jajari claimed these while appearing live on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily programme today.

The PDP candidate alleged that electoral officials allowed many people to vote without going through the normal accreditation procedure.

He said, “It is true that there were a lot of irregularities in the elections where some people voted without going through the accreditation process, no BVAS in many places, vote buying openly and intimidation. So the election, particularly in Borno state is far from free and fair.”

On his chances of winning the election, Jajiri said citizens of the state are already tired of the APC administration and would massively vote out the ruling party for him come Saturday.

“What are the criteria to be considered as a serious candidate? I have been going round all over doing campaigns. Though our (presidential) candidate was not declared winner, I am still telling people they should come out and vote. They should not lose confidence.

“People are completely out of touch with the governing party in the state, so people need change. Civil service, farming…there are so many multiple taxations and so many other reasons why people are not happy with the APC in Borno state,” Jajari said.

PDP, NNPP Concocting Lies – APC Replies Governorship Candidates

In a swift reaction, the APC chairman in the state, Ali Bukar Dalori, criticized Jajari’s claims about the presidential and national assembly elections in Borno State.

According to Dalori, the last elections were conducted in a free, fair and credible atmosphere in the entire state. He accused the PDP candidate and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of concocting lies ahead of the Saturday polls.

He said, “It is not true. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno state, under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum and under my chairmanship, did not want to join issues with the frustrated opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

“But for the purpose of clarity, the just concluded presidential and the National Assembly elections were conducted in a free, fair and credible atmosphere across the 27 local government areas of the state.

“It was adjudged by national and international electoral observers, CSOs and all concerned stakeholders that the exercise was transparent, peaceful and devoid of any electoral malpractices.”

Dalori maintained that claims about APC and the last elections were calculated attempts to cause political motives that would never be realistic to the desperate yearnings and aspirations of opposition.

“It is, therefore, our prayers and hope that our great party will defeat PDP, and NNPP candidates hands down come Saturday, 18th March 2023 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections,” the APC chieftain said.