For Immediate Release
Houston, Texas, USA
August 28, 2023
Diasporans for PDP Condemns Yahaya Bello’s Authoritarian Ban on Campaign Advertising
Diasporans for PDP, the US-based registered non-governmental organization made up of Nigerians living abroad, has issued a solemn condemnation of Governor Yahaya Bello’s attempt to rig the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election through manipulation of the process, silencing of opposition voices, and ban of campaign advertising in Kogi State.
The organization describes the ban as an illegal, illegitimate and desperate attempt to win an election through silencing opposition voices by an incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) government that has no success stories and no tangible achievements to show to the electorate.
“What we are witnessing in Kogi State is an act of desperation. A desperate APC government wants to win an election at all cost. They are ready to engage in irresponsible and unacceptable public exhibition of autocracy in order to remain in power. As Nigerians in diaspora and lovers of democracy, we call on fellow country men and women to reject this undemocratic attempt to rig the election even before the first votes are cast,” said the Founder and National Chair of Diasporans for PDP Honourable Mrs. Victoria Pamugo.
Ahead of the November 11 governorship election, the APC-controlled Kogi State Signage and Advertisement Agency (KOSSAA) banned all opposition candidates’ campaign posters in Lokoja metropolis, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba West, Ankpa, Idah, Ayingba, Adavi, Okene and Okehi towns. The autocratic APC guidelines announced by Governor Yahaya Bello desperately demands the following of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition candidates:
- ₦50,000,000 fee payable to the Agency for the deployment of materials before, during and after the election.
- ₦5,000,000 fee payable to the Agency by political parties wishing to deploy campaign materials within the state.
- ₦2,000,000 for every billboard erected by parties, candidates or supporters.
- ₦1,000,000 fee payable to the Agency for every banner displayed in public places.
Reacting to this draconian political machination designed to usurp the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the campaign team of Senator Dino Melaye, the PDP governorship candidate in Kogi State, writes that:
“The campaign decrees recently issued under the guise of guidelines for the use of campaign materials by the administration of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Yahaya Bello in Kogi State is a vexatious, undemocratic and unrealistic attempt to evade contest, constrain the democratic field and stir-fry other political parties out of visibility before the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in Kogi State.”
The press statement further states that “Under the inoperable, illegal guidelines, the PDP, which has deployed over 50 banners in each of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State, will be expected to pay ₦1,050,000,000 (one billion and fifty million naira) as signage fees alone. It is laughable that this figure already exceeds the entire expenditure threshold of ₦1b (one billion naira) prescribed for gubernatorial election under Section 88 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022.”
“Governor Yahaya Bello and APC are suffocating democracy in that state. On the other hand, it is a pity that INEC, who has a responsibility for a free, fair and credible election in the country, is completely silent in the face of this day-light rubbery being committed against the Nigerian voters who, if this illegal decree is allowed to stand, will not have access to adequate information or voter education about the candidates wishing to become their leaders,” says Hon. Pamugo.
“What is Governor Yahaya Bello afraid of? What is APC afraid of? If they are so proud of the job they have done in Kogi State over the past number of years, why are they afraid of people getting to know the candidates wishing to become future governors of the state?” Hon. Pamugo questioned.
“The governor and his corrupt APC friends are collecting huge amounts of money from the federal treasury and tax payers every year, including security votes. Yet, they have nothing to show for their time in office. Nigerians in Kogi State are suffering. No food. No jobs. No good roads. No good schools. No constant electricity supply. No portable water supply. No security. No health care system. Yet, APC wants to remain in power through this apparent autocratic decree and illegal campaign guidelines. What new ideas do the governor and APC have to offer the people of Kogi State?” she asked.
“The international community is watching and Diasporans for PDP joins millions of Kogi residents in condemning this childish and autocratic attempt to change the outcome of the election in favour of APC. We reject it completely!” Hon. Pamugo said.
Diasporans for PDP is a United States-based and registered non-governmental organization with membership including but not limited to Austria, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
For more information or questions about the organization, please visit: diasporansforpdp.com.
Signed:
Chidi Igwe, PhD
National Publicity Secretary