No fewer than 60 presidential candidates in the 2019 general elections have criticized the PDP and its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for what they describe his unnecessary insistence on the controversial INEC server allegedly used in the Feb 23 election.
The group also tackled the European Union for its Observers Mission report which stated the election was not transparent.
The parties under the aegis of Joint Forum of 60 Presidential Candidates and National Chairmen, at a press conference addressed by Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, said the Independent National Electoral Commission did creditably well.
The event was also attended by the Co-Convener of the forum and chairman of West African Coalition of Political Parties, Chief Perry Opara.
According to Shittu, Atiku and the PDP are plotting to discredit the election.
“Political parties never agreed with INEC in any of the several pre-election meetings that results will be transmitted electronically,” he said.
“Parties agreed on a lot of issues with the commission and those were implemented. It is worrisome that only one political party out of 91 is saying a different thing on the presidential election while at the same time praising its performance on the other elections, especially governorship, conducted by the same INEC.
“INEC consulted widely and extensively, and together with stakeholders of which we are a part of, came up with the guidelines for the conduct of the 2019 general elections, which the commission followed to the letter.”
Shittu also recalled that nine out of the eleven points for consideration raised as candidates under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council and Coalition of United Political Parties respectively were adopted by the Commission.
“How then can the EU-EOM accuse the commission of a lack of transparency in putting up guidelines for the elections?
“Therefore, the report of the EU-EOM released over a week ago wherein they alleged a lack of transparency in the guidelines of election is bewildering. With all due respect to the EU-EOM, it is left to Nigerians to decide how we conducted our 2019 general elections.The group then urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sign the Electoral Act Amendment into law once it is presented to him again by the National Assembly.
“That amendment will hugely improve our electoral system and its processes,” he said.
On Monday, the election tribunal denied Atiku his request to inspect INEC’s server.
The initial support the PDP candidate had is waning now.
Just recently, CUPP, the coalition giving him back-winds even before the election split down the middle.
The new faction now supports Buhari.