This was as the party warned voters not to allow desperate politicians in the state access to their voter cards, stressing it would approach the Court to seek redress in the alleged ugly situation.
APGA Publicity Secretary in the state, Chubuike Nwanchor, said this in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement read, “The attention of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Ebonyi State, has been drawn to allegations that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi has now commissioned its agents to illegally purchase the Permanent Voter Cards of the Ebonyi electorate, particularly in the rural areas.
“Our very competent sources in many villages, particularly in Izzi, Ebonyi North and Ezza areas in the Central parts of the state alleged that the victims who are predominantly illiterate and uninformed voters are offered between N5,000 and N10,000 depending on the bargain to offer their PVCs to the APC agents.
“We wish to notify the general populace and indeed all Ebonyians that allowing themselves to fall prey to the APC’s fraudulent gimmicks would amount to allowing the APC to defraud and disenfranchise as many as possible, especially in the many areas they are most uncertain of victory.
“Secondly, we wish to inform the APC that if they do not retrace their steps, the law would take its course and they and their agents would have themselves to blame.
“Subject to Section 22 (a)(b) & (c) of the amended Electoral Act, the offences of buying and selling of voter cards by any person who is unlawful in possession of any voter card whether issued in the name of any voter or not; or sells or attempts to sell or offers to sell any voter card whether issued in the name of any voter or not; or buy or offers to buy any voter card whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not more than five hundred thousand naira or imprisonment not more than two years or both.
“We foresee a future of imprisonment for many APC leaders and their agents if they do not immediately discontinue this illegality. Having lost popularity and credibility among the Ebonyi electorate who have never voted for the Party before and will never contemplate voting them especially now that the sufferings of Ebonyians and the rest of Nigerians have been further worsened by the poor performance in all indices, we understand the uncouth desperation of the ruling Party to remain in power even if illegal.”
Reacting, the All Progressives Congress described the allegation as baseless and unfounded, saying APGA and other opposition parties were gasping for survival in the state.
The Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Ogbuatu Simba, stated this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Wednesday.
He said, “It is very satanic and unethical for a political party like APGA that barely exists in Ebonyi State to come up with such a blackmail against the APC in Ebonyi State. Trying to get sympathy vote from Ebonyians through blackmailing is very devilish and must be ignored.
“APGA doesn’t exist in Ebonyi State. Being a registered political party in Nigeria doesn’t make the party habitable in Ebonyi. Last time, the so-called APGA party came in through the former SSG, Ebonyians complained of being duped in the name of him contesting for governorship.
“The likes of men in APGA are just seasonal businessmen and to them, another season is here to defraud Ebonyians.
“The truth is that the APC, under Governor David Nweze Umahi, has done tremendously well and the fact that the present government leads with honesty is a big threat to some mushroom politicians. Today, Ebonyians are grateful to God for the quality leadership in the state and for giving our state a true leader in the person of Engr. David Nweze Umahi.”
He added, “Ebonyi State is APC and APC is Ebonyi State. Our landslide victory is sacrosanct and will be from President to all the State and National Assembly seats.
“The achievements of the APC in Ebonyi State speak volume. Our achievements are very intimidating and glaring.
“So, forget APGA when it makes such false claims, because it’s only seeking attention. Why should we buy PVC? There is no reason for such.”
