The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over the Friday closed-door meeting between the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, and the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President, Abba Kyari, at the presidential villa, Abuja.

The main opposition party in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its National Publicity Secretary, in Abuja on Sunday charged President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow his personal ambition to push the nation into chaos.

It also cautioned the Yakubu not to succumb to pressure to manipulate the electoral process for President Buhari as such could cause serious crisis capable of disarticulating our nation.

The party warned that President Buhari’s handlers, who it said are desperate to force him on an unwilling nation, are fast pushing the nation to the brinks and should be checked before it is too late.

According to the statement, PDP’s fresh caution to INEC Chairman is predicated on an alleged secret meeting he held with President Buhari’s Chief of Staff at the Presidential Villa last Friday.

The statement added: “Prof Yakubu should note that the polity is already tensed over INEC’s listing of President Buhari for election despite his failure to present the constitutionally required academic credentials like other candidates. This development casts a dark shadow on the credibility of INEC to conduct a transparent election.

It further stated: “Meanwhile, we are not unaware of the anxiety and apprehension in the APC but such is the price of being stuck with bad merchandise.

“On our part, the PDP is ready for election. Our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with his proven competencies, has met all the requirements for the election and is now enjoying the support of the overwhelming majority of Nigerians across all sections of our country.

“Nigerians are tired of a deceptive, dishonest and grossly incompetent Buhari administration, which has brought so much anguish and pain to our nation.”

•Excerpted from Tribune report