The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised serious concerns, alleging that a clandestine group within the presidency, operating under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, is orchestrating a deliberate slide of Nigeria into a state of totalitarianism and anarchy.
According to Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, this supposed cabal is actively seeking control over key democratic institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Judiciary. Ologunagba has sounded the alarm, citing instances of conflicting court judgments and accusing the cabal of manipulating election results to serve their agenda.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Ologunagba conveyed the PDP’s deep-seated concerns to both the Nigerian populace and the international community. He specifically pointed fingers at what he described as the “brazenly repressive and anti-people” administration of the APC, urging vigilance against what the PDP sees as a dangerous trajectory towards one-party rule.
The PDP spokesperson expressed distress over what he called an “unfolding anti-democratic scenario.” He asserted that the cabal’s actions extend beyond mere election manipulation, permeating the judiciary with conflicting judgments.
Ologunagba drew attention to Election Appeal Court Panels whose decisions, he claimed, run counter to constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act of 2022, and INEC’s established guidelines and regulations.
Of particular concern to the PDP is the alleged targeting of their victories in court. Ologunagba claimed that judgments have been obnoxiously contradictory, with PDP candidates allegedly losing elections in court to defeated candidates of the APC, contravening the provisions of the law.
The PDP’s statement also pointed to specific instances in Plateau State and various other states where, according to the party, the opposition (PDP) has been systematically marginalized through court decisions. The overarching fear is that this pattern aims to establish a one-party state, paving the way for what the PDP terms “totalitarianism” in Nigeria.
Ologunagba emphasized the urgency of the situation, declaring it a “clear and present danger” to Nigeria’s democracy, unity, political stability, and corporate existence. He warned of potential consequences such as agitation, loss of citizens’ confidence in the system, restiveness, anarchy, and chaos.
In response to these allegations, the PDP called upon key figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to denounce any actions stifling democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary. Additionally, the party urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the President of the Court of Appeal to intervene and safeguard the independence of the judiciary during this critical time.
