The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried what it called harassment and intimidation of Lagosians by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in Lagos State, which it said prevented its members from exercising their civic responsibilities.
The party was reacting to the disruption of prospective voters who trooped to register for their permanent voter’s card (PVC) at Alaba International Market in Lagos.
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However, the ruling APC denied the allegation that it sponsored the thugs who disrupted the exercise, saying it was a “blatant lie.”
The party, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Hakeem Amode, also warned that it would resist any further attempt to intimidate Lagosians from registering for their PVCs.
The Lagos PDP also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the #youthvotecountng initiative and the Mega Musical Concert aimed at stimulating the interest of youths in registering for their PVCs.
The party charged the commission on the need to take proactive measures in forestalling rising incidences of glitch in the exercise.
The Lagos PDP commended youths across the state for “showing uncommon determination in getting their PVCs and traders from the Alaba International Market who shut the market few days ago to allow them participate in the continuous voters registration exercise.”
The Lagos PDP charged the commission to “address the frustration and lackluster performance of some of its officials,” alleging that some of the traders were attacked by politically motivated thugs because of their perceived sympathy for the PDP.
However, the acting publicity secretary of the APC, Karamo Yesiru, in a chat with Daily Trust on Sunday, denied the allegation that the party sponsored the thugs who disrupted the exercise, saying the ruling party cannot be part of such violence.