Nigeria’s Opposition Party, PDP Warns Against Authoritarian Rule Under APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns about Nigeria’s deteriorating democratic situation under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, alleging a gradual descent into “totalitarianism” and anarchy, Aso Naija Reports.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the PDP accused the APC of orchestrating a plot to establish a one-party state in Nigeria. Party spokesperson Debo Ologunagba asserted that the ruling party is attempting to “emasculate the institutions of democracy,” particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.

Ologunagba cited “manipulation of elections” and “conflicting judgments by electoral courts” as evidence of this alleged anti-democratic agenda. He specifically pointed to rulings by certain Election Appeal Court Panels that deviate from the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC’s guidelines.

The PDP emphasized the importance of upholding democracy and allowing the will of the people to prevail through free and fair elections. The party urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take a firm stance against any efforts to undermine democracy, the rule of law, or the independence of the judiciary.

The PDP’s statement highlights the growing concerns among opposition parties and civil society groups regarding the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy under the APC leadership. These concerns stem from a series of incidents that have raised questions about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and the integrity of electoral processes.