Addressing a press conference yesterday on the rescheduling of the general elections, the Director of the PDP presidential campaign organisation, Femi Fani Kayode, said:
“Pieces of information at our disposal have shown that Jega has had meetings with APC stalwarts in Dubai and other cities in the world to perfect this wanton conspiracy against 23 million eligible voters.
“Besides, we have information that the PVCs that Nigerians are scrambling for are not in Nigeria and will not arrive before the elections. These PVCs are still in China and Jega has strategically delayed their arrival to suit his electioneering permutations.”
Putting Jega on the hot seat, Fani-Kayode demanded to know: “Can Jega show Nigerians proof that the Chinese company printing the PVCs has been paid in full by disclosing the total contract sum and the amount paid to date?
“Can Prof Jega show proof of arrival or expected date of arrival of all PVCs for the elections? Can Jega tell Nigerians how he could have distributed 23 million PVCs within five days to the election if there hadn’t been a postponement?”
The PDP campaign spokesman also asked: “Could this be why Jega has refused to allow citizens use their temporary voter cards despite pleas from the National Assembly and well-meaning Nigerians?
“Does it make sense to disenfranchise 23 million citizens (a third of the eligible voters) because INEC says it wants to avoid rigging? The 2011 elections were adjudged the most transparent by Nigerians, the international community and the INEC chairman himself, said so without the use of PVCs. So what has changed?
“Is this why APC leaders and members insisted on the non-postponement of the elections even when they knew that 23 million Nigerians may not vote? Did they know something we did not know?
“Jega said on national television on January 23, that INEC was doing everything possible to ensure that before the end of January, all the cards have been produced and made available. That deadline has come and gone and we still do not have the PVCs. Is he being sincere?
“We hereby challenge him to be honourable and transparent. He should publish accurate information on the state of PVCs: how many PVCs are in the country? Where are they located state by state? When would others arrive from China? How does he plan to distribute them before elections?
“Jega should respond to these allegations of partisanship and ineptitude, and live up to his responsibilities as an independent election umpire. If he refuses to do so, we may end up losing confidence in him.”
