The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of undermining democracy by derecognising the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement signed by its factional National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP claimed INEC's decision, based on its interpretation of a Court of Appeal judgment and pending cases, was designed to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. The party alleged the commission's actions, including recent political party monitoring reports, were part of a calculated effort to deregister opposition parties ahead of the vote.
The PDP warned that INEC must resist partisan pressures and prioritise democratic integrity, citing historical examples where officials later faced accountability for undermining the electoral process. The statement read, "It is now common knowledge that the ruling All Progressives Congress intends to win the next presidential elections at all costs, by hook or crook. This desire has, for them, become an inevitable certainty that must be achieved, irrespective of the obvious impracticability staring them in the face."
The PDP's claim that the APC seeks to win the 2027 election by any means necessary exposes a dangerous gamble with Nigeria's electoral credibility. Ini Ememobong's warning about INEC's alleged bias is not just partisan rhetoric—it reflects a growing public distrust in institutions tasked with safeguarding democracy. Even if the APC dismisses these accusations, the perception alone risks deepening political divisions before the next vote. Without concrete proof of manipulation, this remains a war of narratives, but one that could erode faith in future elections.
