25th August, 2014
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southeast zone has rejected the 8,000 polling booths allocated to the entire south by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who made this known to journalists at the end of their meeting in Umuahia on Saturday, described the allocation as “disservice to the nation”.
“The people of the South-East reject the alleged allocation of polling booths by INEC. We view it as a great disservice to the unity and progress of this country if the entire south will have 8,000 polling booths and the north has 21,000 polling booths.
“We demand that this should be suspended forthwith as it is completely against the spirit of one Nigeria, the unity and progress of our dear country.
“This country belongs to all Nigerians; the South-East should be given its fair share.”
Metuh said that the people and leadership of the party in the zone had resolved to support the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Our people have demanded that Jonathan should contest in 2015 and the South-East has resolved to support him unequivocally and unconditionally.
“We are, therefore, joining millions of Nigerians to ask the president to declare for the 2015 presidential election,” he said.
The PDP spokesman said that Nigerians were convinced that the country had witnessed great transformation in the last three-and-a-half years.
He commended the Federal Government, especially the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, for taking `bold initiatives’ to contain the spread of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.
He said that Nigerians were satisfied with the measures so far adopted by the Federal Government to tackle the disease.
Metuh demanded the extension of the period of the continuous voter registration, especially in areas where the exercise was marred by inadequate materials, personnel and mal-functional equipment.
He expressed concern over the recent postings and promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, and the Police Service Commission “to revisit this appointments and promotions with a view to balancing the position”.
The meeting was attended by the governors of Abia and Ebonyi, Theodore Orji and Martin Elechi, respectively, as well as the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekwerenmadu.
Also in attendance were: Prof. Onyebuchi Cukukwu, Minister of Health; Chief Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation; Chief Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour and Productivity; and PDP chairmen in the five states in the zone.