PDP plans to disrupt 2019 elections, Says El-Rufai
El-Rufai Accuses PDP of Plotting to Disrupt 2019 Elections
El-Rufai Accuses PDP of Plotting to Disrupt 2019 Elections
Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to disrupt the 2019 general elections in parts of the state.
El-Rufai made the allegation during a stakeholders’ meeting in Kudan town, citing intelligence reports which he said indicated possible attempts to create unrest during the elections.
The governor, however, assured residents that security agencies had been placed on alert to maintain peace and arrest anyone found attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
According to El-Rufai, Kudan Local Government Area had several prominent PDP members who, he alleged, could attempt to disturb the peace.
“As a leader, it is my responsibility to inform you about what is being planned because there are many PDP leaders in Kudan Local Government, and they may attempt to disrupt the peace,” he said.
El-Rufai also warned young people against allowing politicians to use them to perpetrate violence.
He urged residents to question politicians who encourage them to engage in violent activities while keeping their own children away from danger.
“If any politician asks you to cause violence, ask him to bring his own child so that both of you can carry out the plan together,” the governor said.
He stressed that the lives of children from poor families were just as valuable as those from wealthy or influential backgrounds.
El-Rufai further assured residents that adequate security would be provided on election day to enable voters to freely choose their preferred candidates.
According to him, politics should be based on persuasion and personal conviction rather than intimidation or force.
“Politics is about conviction. There should be no compulsion. Even members of the same family can support different parties or candidates,” he said.
El-Rufai Defends Choice of Running Mate
The governor also defended his decision to choose Dr Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate, saying the choice was based on competence rather than religion or ethnicity.
El-Rufai argued that previous arrangements in which religious and ethnic considerations influenced the choice of deputy governors had not necessarily brought lasting peace to Kaduna State.
He said the state needed to move away from politics based on religion and ethnicity and adopt a system that prioritised merit, competence and development.
PDP Dismisses Allegations
Reacting to El-Rufai’s claims, Kaduna State PDP spokesman Abraham Catoh dismissed the allegations, describing them as an indication that the governor was worried about losing the election.
Catoh described El-Rufai’s comments as a desperate attempt to discredit the opposition ahead of the polls.
According to him, the PDP was enjoying strong support across Kaduna State and had attracted large crowds during its campaign activities.
“We know Governor El-Rufai is afraid of defeat. Whatever he is saying against the PDP is because he is worried about the election,” Catoh said.
He maintained that the PDP had demonstrated through its campaign rallies that it enjoyed considerable support in the state.
Kudan is the hometown of Isa Ashiru, the PDP governorship candidate in the 2019 Kaduna State election.
Hunkuyi, the headquarters of Kudan Local Government Area, is also the hometown of Senator Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, a former political ally of El-Rufai who later joined the PDP and contested for a senatorial seat.
