By Mario Deepromoter
The Presidency has denied allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration plans to use state machinery to manipulate the election and ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming Edo State governorship election.
Recall the PDP Edo State Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, had alleged that the presidency intends to use the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to favour the APC candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21 election.
In response, the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, through his legal representatives, Charles Musa & Co., refuted the claims, calling them “baseless” and contrary to Ribadu’s reputation.
Speaking with Daily Trust on Monday, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, also denied the allegations.
Ajayi said, “There is no truth in such a claim. President Tinubu will not lend his presidency to any illegality or anything that compromises the integrity of our elections. He is an avowed democrat.”
Ajayi also suggested that many PDP leaders had already joined the APC in Edo State, questioning the relevance of the opposition.
“What is left of the PDP in Edo State is a carcass that Governor (Godwin) Obaseki is using as his special purpose vehicle,” he said.
Addressing the role of security agencies, Ajayi concluded, “The DSS and NSA work for the security and preservation of the country. Such important institutions can never be used to subvert the electoral process or democracy under any guise.”