#EndSARS protests: PDP suspends political activities

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said it has suspended all political and electioneering activities in honour of the Nigerian youths who were reportedly killed at the Lekki Toll Gate on Tuesday night as well as other killings that have occurred in various parts of the country.

The PDP in a statement on Friday night by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan directed that its flags in all offices nationwide be flown at half-mast in solidarity with the mood of the nation.

“Also our party has been made aware of the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the pending bye-elections in 6 senatorial districts and 9 state constituencies in 11 states of the federation, earlier scheduled for October 31, due to the crisis situation in the country.

“Though such comes at high cost to candidates and political parties, we hold that it is a step in the right direction under the prevailing circumstance.

“In that regard, the PDP charges INEC to continue to monitor the situation and use the period to fine-tune its preparations to conduct peaceful, free, fair and credible elections as part of the much-needed panacea for the restiveness in the country.

“Furthermore, our party urges the security agencies to also use the period to perfect their roles in electoral operations and tidy up all arrangements to guarantee the right atmosphere for peaceful and transparent polls where the safety of the voters as well as the sanctity of the ballot box are guaranteed.

“The PDP also restates its call for calm and prayers for our nation at this critical time in our national life, even as all hands must be on the deck in finding solutions and the way forward for our nation,” the party said.