Bayelsa/Kogi Elections: Presidency Lambasts PDP

Pat Stevens/

The Presidency has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept the outcome of the Bayelsa and Kogi States governorship elections with grace rather than resorting to blaming others for its failure.

In statement in Abuja late yesterday, entitled, ‘Bayelsa/Kogi Election Results: PDP Should Accept Defeat with Grace’, the Presidency said “it has now become standard procedure for the party to challenge any poll that does not return its candidates. An Election is good when the PDP wins. The opposite is the case if any party other than the PDP wins”.

It also advised the opposition party to desist from blaming the electoral umpire, security agencies and the President anytime it loses an election, describing such act as undemocratic.

It noted: “The opposition strategy of attacking the electoral commission, security agencies, government at the centre and the person of President Muhammadu Buhari after each election loss is antithetical to healthy democratic norms.”

Read full statement:

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

BAYELSA/KOGI ELECTION RESULTS: PDP SHOULD ACCEPT DEFEAT WITH GRACE

Predictably, we have seen the accusation of fabricated results from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP. Yet, the only fabrication is PDP’s conduct.

It has now become standard procedure for the party to challenge any poll that does not return its candidates. An Election is good when the PDP wins. The opposite is the case if any party other than the PDP wins.

Democracy is not only about who wins or who loses, but also about the process. In disparaging every unfavourable result, they disgrace themselves by casting aspersion on the entire system.

The February 2019 election saw the loss of five All Progressives Congress, APC governors. The government accepted the results. In doing so, we realised that we did not win the argument in those contests, and so we didn’t win enough votes.

We retired to assess what went wrong: were we responsive enough to the electorate’s needs and priorities? How can we improve on speaking to the nation’s hopes? We got ready and prepared ourselves well for the next contest. The result is a healthier, more rigorous election.

In rejecting the results as PDP has done, this reflection does not happen. Instead, the electorate gets mudslinging. Improvement is not sought, but cries of victimization; this is not an atmosphere in which democratic debate can thrive.

The Opposition strategy of attacking the electoral commission, security agencies, government at the centre and the person of President Muhammadu Buhari after each election loss is antithetical to healthy democratic norms.

Candidates and parties, especially those that have lost, are not told to examine their campaign tactics and strategies with a view to improving their chances for the next election. The result of not doing this is a loss for the electorate and for the parties concerned.

We call on APC supporters to show dignity in victory, and for all Nigerians to remain peaceful in the wake of these elections. We call on PDP to learn to be democrats. We must now come together to build a brighter future for Nigeria.

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