The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns about what it describes as mounting threats to Nigeria’s democratic process, cautioning that recent actions by national institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), could compromise the integrity of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued on April 2, 2026, in Abuja, the party warned that “recent political events” suggest orchestrated manipulation against opposition parties, elevating political tensions to “near-fever levels.”
The statement signed by PDP National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, called for a “country-first” approach, urging all stakeholders to rise above partisan divisions to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
The PDP compared the nation’s situation to the human body, noting that “society either breaks down or adjusts when subjected to fever.”
The party directly accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of seeking victory in the next presidential election “at all costs, by hook or crook,” claiming this ambition risks destabilising democratic structures.
The PDP further alleged that key national institutions, the judiciary, INEC, and the clergy, were being used to implement what it described as a coordinated political agenda.
In particular, the party criticised INEC for derecognising the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under David Mark, arguing that the commission’s interpretation of court rulings appears politically biased.
“While we concede that, semantically, the same words and sentences can convey different meanings, it is troubling that INEC’s default interpretation of matters concerning political parties consistently appears to favour the much-perceived and prevailing notion of an uncontested election,” the PDP stated.
It warned that such actions risk handing a coronation to the incumbent president.
The opposition party also expressed concern over INEC’s recent monitoring of political parties, suggesting these activities could lead to the deregistration of opposition parties, further weakening democratic competition.
Calling for restraint, the PDP urged national institutions to remain neutral and prioritise the country’s democratic future over partisan interests.
The statement emphasised that “no individual or institution should stretch the patience of Nigerians beyond its present bounds,” highlighting the fragility of the nation’s democratic institutions.
