Labour Party has called on the relevant federal agencies to tighten the nation’s borders and fish out illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries in order to ensure a free and fair presidential election on 25 February.
A Labour Party spokeperson, Barrister Osa Director told newsmen that it came to the party as a rude shock and embarrassment to witness the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) parade over 700 foreigners who sneaked into the country, armed with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
While commending the NIS for a good job, Director demanded that, apart from the immediate deportation of the illegal immigrants, the Department of State Security must be alive to its responsibilities by combing the nooks and crannies around the various entry and exit points into the country to fish out illegal immigrants for swift deportation.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure a free, fair and credible election. Therefore, the Federal Government and the various security agencies must police our borders effectively and efficiently. The votes of Nigerians must count as the coming presidential election is a defining moment for Nigeria”, he said.
He noted that the Labour Party is particularly worried at the confidence exuded by those who had failed to deliver the dividends of democracy in the past like the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in winning the 2023 presidential election, and that might not be unrelated to the attempt in the utilisation of under hand tactics like the importation of illegal immigrants to vote in Nigeria.
“The DSS must also investigate how aliens came to possess PVCs in Nigeria”, the Labour Party spokesperson said.
“We see the unfolding scenarios as a plot orchestrated by desperate politicians to gain access to the corridors of power through the back door”.
He called on Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigerians to remain vigilant to ensure that the 2023
election is peaceful, credible, free and fair.
