Democracy Under Threat: PDP Urges INEC, Key Institutions to Exercise Caution

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over what it describes as growing threats to Nigeria’s democracy, warning that recent political developments appear to be targeted at weakening opposition parties and escalating tensions across the country.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party said the nation’s political atmosphere has been dangerously heightened by what it termed “clear orchestrations and manipulations” against opposition groups.

According to the PDP, the situation has pushed the country’s political climate to “near-fever levels,” cautioning that, like the human body, society under such strain could either collapse or be forced into uneasy adjustment.

The party alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is determined to secure victory in the next presidential election “by all means necessary,” warning that such a pursuit risks undermining democratic principles and destabilising the nation.

It further accused key national institutions of being drawn into this alleged agenda, naming the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and even religious bodies as potential instruments in what it described as a dangerous political project.

The PDP expressed particular concern over INEC’s recent decision to derecognise the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), based on its interpretation of a Court of Appeal judgment and other ongoing legal disputes.

While acknowledging that legal interpretations can vary, the party questioned what it sees as a pattern in INEC’s decisions, alleging that such actions often appear to favour the ruling party and reinforce fears of a predetermined electoral outcome.

The statement also referenced recent political party monitoring activities published by the Commission.

Although it conceded that such oversight falls within INEC’s statutory responsibilities, the PDP said the timing has raised suspicions, especially amid speculations that some opposition parties may face deregistration.

Describing such a possibility as a further blow to Nigeria’s democracy, the party called on INEC and other national institutions to resist partisan influence and uphold their constitutional responsibilities with neutrality and integrity.

“This is a defining moment in our democratic journey,” the statement noted, urging institutions to prioritise national interest above political considerations and to learn from past experiences where actions taken under pressure later attracted public condemnation.

The PDP warned against testing the patience of Nigerians, stressing the need for a “country-first” approach that transcends partisan divides.

The party concluded with a call for collective responsibility in safeguarding democratic values, expressing hope that both Nigeria and its democracy will endure the current challenges.