PDP accuses Bauchi State government of planning to dethrone traditional rulers who do not back APC

NIGERIA'S main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to dethrone traditional rulers in Bauchi State who refuse to back the government.

Tomorrow Nigeria goes to the polls to elect a president and members of the National Assembly with the race for Aso Rock being a two-horse race between President Buhari of the APC and former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. As the political temperature rises, the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP has alleged that the state government has held series of meetings with traditional rulers in the state where it threatened to dethrone any of them that fails to influence his subjects to vote for APC candidates.

Yayanuwa Zainabari, the publicity secretary of the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP, alleged that the state government has issued an order to district heads in some parts of the state to deliver their respective districts to the ruling party in the election. He added that the matter triggered conflicts on Wednesday in Burra, in Ningi Local Government Area between a district head and the people of the area.

He added that the  PDP was concerned about how the government humiliates the royal fathers and undermines their authority, describing the situation as unfortunate and pathetic. Mr Zainabari also alleged that the government promised some of the traditional rulers it dethroned earlier when it came on board that if they deliver their various places to the APC, they will be reinstated.

Mr Zainabari said: “Even today, some district heads were summoned from my local government to Government House where they were intimidated. Governor Mohammed Abubakar should know that his tenure is limited but traditional rulers will reign forever because the stool is hereditary and permanent.

 “The traditional rulers should know that we are also their sons and our governorship candidate Bala Mohammed has regard for them. He is worried about how they are being maltreated and will restore their lost glory if elected."

Furthermore, Mr Zainabari alleged that there was plot by the state government to  rig the election in favour of the ruling party, vowing that the PDP was ready to checkmate plans for all electoral malpractices. He added that the PDP is ready to defend its votes at all costs within the purview of the laws.

He concluded that the PDP has already notified the security agencies and taken note of all the areas that the ruling APC is trying to manipulate the election results. Mr Zainabari warned that the party will not fold its arms and watch things go bad and set the state on fire.