By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Count down to the general elections on Saturday, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Sokoto state said it has uncovered sinister plans by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state to use students of boarding Secondary Schools across the state, to rig the forthcoming general elections .
It said the alleged plan is evident by the failure of the PDP-led Sokoto State Government to close such schools for the purpose of allowing the students to exercise their franchise during the Presidential and National Assembly polls.
The party through its Publicity Secretary, Sambo Bello Danchadi in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen Thursday evening, said the alleged plan has indeed, negated the usual practice during such important national exercises , so as not to wilfully disenfranchise the citizens.
According to Danchadi ” the inability of the state government to release the boarding students is intended to use them to rig the polls.
” It is also noteworthy the eligible boarding students had registered for their PVCs in their respective towns and villages, hence retaining them in such schools would disenfranchise them as they could not vote in their schools.”
The opposition APC also noted with concern that some unscrupulous elements have also been dubiously collecting some unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs), from the various offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), across Sokoto State, without the knowledge of INEC..
” The party will not in anyway condone such heinous moves, just as the APC would use any available means, including legal actions, to seek redress for such obnoxious acts”, the statement vowed.
The statement however added ” APC is also hereby strongly and vehemently rejecting such callous moves, while it is also cautioning INEC and all concerned authorities , including security agencies, against turning deaf ears against such heinous plans”, while calling on parents in the state to withdraw their wards and children from all boarding schools , so as to prevent them from being used to perpetrate the planned illegal act.
