The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissociated itself from the statement credited to Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia state governor that members of the PDP sometimes killed to get rid of their rivals.
The party, in a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, its national publicity secretary, called on Orji to come out clear on his statement as that cannot be associated with the PDP.
Kalu, who made this statement in a video during the South-East APC caucus meeting in Abuja on Thursday, said he was aware that politicians eliminated their rivals and other electorates so they can secure victory during elections.
Kalu said this while addressing journalists after the South-East All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in Abuja on Thursday. Kalu decamped to the APC in 2016 amidst legal battles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Kalu had served as the Abia State Governor between the years 1999 to 2007, under the PDP.
”In any democracy, there is always a quarrel. In PDP, we used to kill people when we are doing all this things (congress) which is not good. People used to die,” he said.
Mr Orji, a former member of the PDP and governor from 1999 to 2007, defected to APC in November 2016.
The PDP said it believed Mr Orji spoke in his personal capacity and probably on issues concerning his activities.
“We state this because the PDP do not kill and has never asked or contracted any of its members or anybody for that matter to kill on its behalf, over any matter whatsoever.
“Since such a claim came from a person of the status and attainment of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, we hold that he could have certain information that requires explanations to the public.
“The PDP remains a law-abiding political party, whose activities at all levels are guided by strong code of conduct and adherence to the laws of the land,” he said.
The party, therefore, urged Mr Orji come out clear on his claims and to define those he referred to as “we” and the circumstances of the killings he spoke about.