Nigeria Descending into Totalitarianism and Anarchy, Says PDP 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sounded the alarm over what it perceives as Nigeria’s dangerous descent into totalitarianism and anarchy under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP alleges that a group within the Presidency is orchestrating actions that threaten the nation’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary, intending to establish a one-party state.

Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, expressed concerns about both the manipulation of elections and the conflicting judgments issued by electoral courts. He particularly pointed to Election Appeal Court Panels whose verdicts appear to contradict the country’s constitution, the Electoral Act of 2022, and INEC’s election guidelines and regulations.

Ologunagba stated, “What is more worrisome is that these obnoxiously contradictory judgments are targeted at the PDP, resulting in elections that were won by PDP candidates being overturned in favor of defeated candidates from the APC, contrary to the provisions of the law.”

The PDP emphasized that such actions pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, unity, political stability, and overall national cohesion. They fear that these actions may fuel agitation, erode citizens’ confidence in the system, lead to restiveness, and ultimately result in anarchy and chaos.

The party stressed that democracy should be upheld as the government of the people, as expressed through their electoral choices. Any attempt to undermine the expressed will of the people, as the PDP alleges is happening under the APC, could lead to severe political crises and have grave consequences for the country.

Tinubu called to uphold the rule of law

The PDP called on President Bola Tinubu to denounce any actions or attempts that stifle democracy, infringe on the rule of law, or undermine the independence of the judiciary. They also urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Court of Appeal to assert the independence of the judiciary to protect democracy and the rule of law.

In addition to these calls, the PDP urged Nigerians and democracy advocates worldwide to take urgent and legitimate steps to defend, protect, and preserve Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy against what they perceive as an onslaught by the APC. The party has raised this alarm in the hopes of drawing the attention of both Nigerians and the international community to the potential threats facing the nation’s democratic institutions.