The African Democratic Congress has accused the All Progressives Congress of intimidating the opposition and Nigerians with a death threat.
It stated that the ruling party must protect lives during the forthcoming general elections, and not take lives.
The party’s position was contained in a statement on Tuesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Yemi Kolapo, after an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee.
According to Kolapo, the emergency meeting was held to review the events that led to the postponement of the general elections, the reasons given by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the actions of the Presidency
She said the party’s leaders had resolved to shift their insistence on INEC holding the governorship and state House of Assembly elections on March 2.
She also said the party shifted his position on the call for the resignation of INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.
The statement read in part, “The meeting reviewed the earlier positions taken in our press release, which demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari and the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, should resign.
“After reviewing the explanations given by INEC for the postponement, and in view of results of independent investigations on what went on behind the scenes, the ADC has come to the conclusion that agents of the government or fifth columnists within the APC administration were responsible for the logistic failure.
“As a result, we have shifted our initial stand on the INEC chairman and have resolved that he should be allowed to conclude his tenure. We, therefore, call on President Buhari to call relevant officials in his administration to order and allow INEC to carry out its job without further interference.
“We note the shenanigans, undemocratic, deliberate threats and death scare by the APC leaders, particularly, President Buhari, reference to Nigerians paying with their lives in matters, which have clear penalties, according to the country’s electoral laws.
“We also note El-Rufai’s instigation of ethnic bloodshed, callous returning home in body bags warning to international observers, as well as the party Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole’s melancholy and clear stance against free and fair elections. These must not be taken for granted as we prepare for the rescheduled polls.
“We, therefore, call on Mr President, and all political leaders to show good conduct, especially where it concerns elections and be in sync with the Jonathan legacy. We urge APC leaders to work to protect all lives and not take lives, as failure may result in all of their leaders facing the World Court at Hague.”