Lagos — An Action Congress (AC) chieftain, Otunba Niyi Raheem says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot capture Lagos State in 2011 even if the party employs the service of the best election riggers.

Raheem, who was governorship aspirant under the flagship of AC in 2007 said with the performance of AC in Lagos State, there is no way the PDP could capture the state as the party was currently boasting of doing.

"It is clear that in Lagos and Edo States from where the governors are AC, they are doing very well and are like shinning lights. Even the best riggers will not be able to rig in Lagos State," Raheem stated.

According to him, "you can only rig when the people allow you to; you can't buy the conscience of the people. For PDP, it is just a wishful thinking that they can capture Lagos State."

Raheem also called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu, to resign for rigging elections in favour of the PDP.

"INEC is not a serious organisation to reason with. The electoral reform is the major thing that ought to guide INEC on what it should do.

"We want electronic voting system to be used, even if we can't get it right now, we can get it right later. It is important that the people's votes count," he said.

According to the AC chieftain, "in most democratic societies, when you fail, you resign immediately. In 2007, Iwu presided over a rigged election. I don't see why Iwu refuses to resign so that fresh people can come in."

He added that the Federal Government was not ready to conduct a free and fair elections as it had failed to implement the provisions of the reports of the Justice Muhammed Uwais Electoral Reform Panel.

"Uwais reports have not been implemented. We want a wholesome review; the report is what Nigerians want. The reports' recommendation mirrors what Nigerians want. For the Federal Government to pick out something from it shows that the Federal Government is not serious," he stated.

Raheem noted that the 2010 Anambra State governorship election would be chaotic going by the tense atmosphere, adding that the electoral reforms, if properly implemented, would help to solve these problems of election rigging.

"If we can get the constitutional review right, things will be better for the nation. There should also be sanctions for election riggers. We can't rule out rigging, but it will not be on a large scale," he said.

On the proposed launch of the mega party to tackle the PDP in 2011, the AC chieftain said the progressives must come together to challenge the PDP and wrestle power from its hand.

"We will know how powerful the PDP is when we have a free and fair election. In the South West in 2003, the PDP rigged massively. The mega party is okay to challenge the PDP. The progressives must come together to have a common front," he stated.