The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday called for the disqualification of President Muhammadu Buhari from the 2019 presidential race, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of importing foreign nationals into the country to influence the forthcoming general elections.

National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, made the allegation at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, venue of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in the state.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify both Buhari and APC from the February 16th general election for the alleged infraction.

Secondus described as shameful, the incidents in Kano on Thursday during the APC presidential campaign where governors and other persons from neighbouring countries, especially Niger Republic, reportedly attended the rally and openly campaigned for the President.

He said such action by APC is tantamount to the importation of foreign nationals into the country to influence the elections and called on INEC to disqualify the party from the elections.

While telling the people that a vote for the Presidential Candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, is a vote for freedom from poverty, hunger and insecurity, Secondus commended the State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, for the massive transformation going on in the state.

“Atiku will rescue Nigerian from poverty, hunger and mass killing. The Governor, David Umahi, is the best governor and I know that you are going to vote for him again.

“Let me warn INEC that what we witnessed yesterday is the worst that we have seen in the country where people from other countries like Niger and Chad came to influence the election in Nigeria.

“We ask INEC to disqualify Buhari for bringing in machineries to influence the election. INEC better be warned that you cannot rig this election. We have already won this election. Atiku believes in the youths and women; that is why they are always trouping out massively to welcome him anywhere we have gone,” Secondus said.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, lamented the high rate of hunger and unemployment in the country since the coming of the APC to power.

He attributed the economic downturn in the country to the inexperience of the ruling government in management of the economy.

“Atiku is experienced having been in the private sector, so vote for a man that can talk to anybody, bring in investors to Nigeria, eliminate hunger from the land and revitalise the economy. That man is Atiku Abubakar,” he said

Vice Presidential Candidate of the party and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, said that the party wants to replicate what the State Governor is doing in the state throughout the entire country.

“What the governor is doing in the state is what we want to be doing for the entire country. The country is collapsing, no security, nothing is moving. With Atiku Abubakar, there will be a better Nigeria. Students are at home instead of in school, hospitals are not working. If you want these things to be corrected vote for Atiku, vote PDP,” he said.

Wife of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Mrs Jennifer Atiku, noted that the huge crowd in the stadium shows that the state governor is solidly behind the presidential candidate of the party.

“I have known Atiku for over 35 years and I can tell you that he is the right man for this job. He is your in-law and so he will treat you people well,” she added.

Atiku in his own speech commended the state governor for the huge transformation going on in the state and promised that such will be replicated in the entire country when he becomes the President.

While promising that South-East will not be marginalised in his government, Atiku urged the people to vote and to protect their votes to ensure that their votes will count in the end.

He said: “I have been coming to this state since it was created and I can tell you that the greatest transformation in this state has been done under the Umahi administration. The people of Ebonyi have been loyal to PDP and PDP has been loyal to Ebonyi State. Every facility in this state was provided by PDP. I want to promise you that Ebonyi will never be marginalised again.

“This is your best time for the South-East. Come out in numbers and vote for PDP. I have been to many states in this country; I have not seen this kind of mobilisation. I want to single out Governor Umahi and commend him for such mobilisation.

“This is the only road that they are building road with concrete. It means your roads are going to be a lifetime road. It is only somebody like Umahi who can do that. Not only do you vote but you should protect your votes.”

Earlier, while welcoming the Presidential campaign train to Ebonyi, Governor Umahi assured that the state will vote massively for Atiku and all candidates of the party.

“Let me assure the party that Ebonyi State is PDP and PDP is Ebonyi State. We have never had another party in the state. I want to assure you that Ebonyi State will massively vote for PDP, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi and other candidates of the PDP. The state is intact for PDP,” he assured.

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