PDP dissociates self from Ekiti rigging scandal; Fayose, Obanikoro, Omisore others on their own

The leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has distanced itself from the ongoing controversy over the Ekiti rigging tape in which some senior members of the party were heard planning how to rig the governorship election held in the state on June 16 last year.

In the recording, Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose; a former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikore Obanikoro, former Senator Iyiola Omisore and other individuals were heard discussing with a serving Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, Aliyu Momoh, on how to use the military to rig the election in the state.

Most of the actors involved in the saga admitted there was a meeting, but they all denied that rigging was discussed.

In an exclusive interview with Premium times, the spokesperson of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, said those mentioned in the scandal did not carry out the alleged rigging scheme on behalf of the party.

He said the party does not want to get involved in the controversy triggered by the leaked recording and would  rather prefer that those mentioned in connection with the matter respond individually.

He said the PDP as a party has never requested anyone to rig on its behalf and  will never be engaged in electoral malpractices.

“Any tape whether real or imaginary can be concocted in this digital world; we don’t know what is real and what is not,” Mr Metuh said. “I also believe that the actors in their personal capacity will be able to talk about what really happened.

“As a political party, we have never engaged in planning or getting involved in any conspiracy to rig elections or alter the will of the people,” Mr. Metuh said…