The All Progressives Congress in Niger state has accused the People Democratic Party (PDP) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Security Service DSS and other security agencies of plans to rig the governorship election in the state.

According to a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Jonathan Vatsa, and made available to THISDAY in Minna on Thursday said they plan to declare fictitious results contrary to the wish of the people.

Vatsa stated that his accusation is based on Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu's advice that Nigerians should accept any result of the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, adding that the advice is a pointer to the fact that the ruling PDP is out to rig the election and declare a result that is contrary to wish of the people.

The statement described the advice as undemocratic and a message to Nigerlites and indeed Nigerians that the PDP has made up its mind to declare any result and want Nigerians to accept it in good faith.

Responding to the accusation through his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije, Aliyu alerted the general public on plans by the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to cause trouble in the next general election.

“How can the statement of Governor Aliyu calling on Nigerlites to eschew violence and accept the outcome of the next general elections be viewed as a plan to rig? It is indeed very sad for any responsible political party to be directing the thinking of its supporters towards a violent poll despite efforts by leadership of the PDP and APC at the centre to have peaceful elections.

“It must therefore be made categorically clear that Niger chapter of the APC is preparing for a violent poll. We must therefore hold them responsible especially now that the party is blackmailing Governor, PDP and INEC even before election.”