PDP claims APC has recruited 500 armed men to take over AIT situation room

NIGERIA's main opposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) plans to take over the studios of AIT Television to prevent it from announcing the results of yesterday's elections.

Yesterday, Nigeria went to the polls to elect a president and members of the National Assembly in a poll which was largely considered free and fair, although there were hiccups in a few states. In the race for the presidency, incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC was involved in a straight fight with former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.

As from today, results are expected to start trickling in and tomorrow, the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), is expected to start announcing official figures. However, the PDP has warned that the governing party intends to prevent media outlets from announcing results as they come in.

According to the PDP, faced with imminent defeat, the Buhari presidency has recruited over 500 heavily armed men to invade AIT and take over and neutralise the PDP situation room located in one of the buildings of the complex. It claims that the men have been told to smash servers, destroy computers and burn down the facility.

A PDP spokesman said: "We are bringing this to the attention of Nigerians, the international community through their observer missions and all lovers of democracy in Africa. Rather than accept defeat Buhari is intent on unleashing mayhem in the country and truncating our democracy.

"We are forming human shield of 10,000 people around the facility beginning this night till Monday and will defend it with the last drop of our blood."