By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged all relevant Government agencies particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, as well as the judiciary to come clean and ensure a hitch-free National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, next month, 15 and 16.
The PDP, through a statement by its Convention Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, made available to Journalists in Bauchi on Monday, 27 October, 2025, demanded that the agencies must demonstrate patriotism and professionalism in discharging their duties before, during and after to National Convention in order to it peaceful and credible.
The PDP Media and Publicity Sub-Committee alleged that there are growing fears among the party’s supporters that the All Progressives Congress (APC), might use judicial processes to either stop or postpone the Convention.
While the party stressed that it maintained confidence in the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, it added that it would continue to monitor the Commission’s actions before, during, and after the elections.
The statement reads, “These fears are not unfounded. Going by the APC’s antecedents, the possibility of using inter- and intra-party destructive elements to thwart the PDP’s November convention cannot be ruled out.”
The PDP added that, “Covertly and overtly, these elements, operating within and outside the PDP, are willing to go to any extent to serve the selfish interests of their masters in the APC. They must be reminded that nemesis will catch up with them sooner than later.”
The Sub-committee further alleged that such actions were part of a plan to manipulate the 2027 general elections and establish a one-party state, paving the way for dictatorship.
It also expressed concerns over the potential misuse of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to disrupt or prevent the lawful gathering of its members during the convention.
It alleged that, “Given the vulnerability of the police to manipulation by those in power, there are genuine fears that they could be used to disperse or delay the forthcoming political assembly.”
“In an ideal democracy such as Nigeria’s, opposition remains a vital force that checks the excesses of the ruling party and provides solutions. Where opposition is suppressed, the voices of the people are stifled,” it further stated.
Appealing to party members, the Sub-committee called for unity, resilience, and loyalty in safeguarding the party’s legacy.
“To PDP faithful, this is the time to unite more than ever before. Nothing should be allowed to derail the forthcoming national convention. We have laboured and nurtured Nigerian democracy to its present stage,” it stated.
It stressed that, “In an ideal democratic setting, and particularly the type of democracy being practiced in Nigeria, opposition is an invigorating tonic that not only checkmates excesses of the ruling party but also proffer solutions to problems. Where the opposition is being strangulated however, it can be said, that the voices of the people are being stifled.”
The PDP added that, “In Nigeria today, it is an open secret that, pointers are suspecting that the ruling party at the center, the APC, is bent on using every tool at its disposal, including the misuse of important democratic institutions that are pillars on which credible and sustainable democracy is built, to continue its misrule in the country.”
“Such institutions that include the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies, are likely to become tools of manipulation in the hands of the All Peoples Congress (APC),” It added.
The PDP further stated that,”For this and other reasons, it does not come as a surprise that fears are being expressed by the teeming supporters of the People Democratic Party (PDP), that the APC is muting or contemplating the use of the judiciary to ensure that the forthcoming party convention does not hold at all, or is postponed indefinitely.
According to the PDP, “These fears are certainly not unfounded and going by the APC’s antecedents, the possibility of using inter and intra party destructive elements to thwart the PDP November billed convention, cannot be ruled out.”
“Covertly and overtly, these destructive elements operating from within and outside the PDP, can go to any extent to serve the selfish interests of their masters in the APC. They must be reminded here, that nemesis is sure to catch up with them, sooner than later,” It stressed.
It further underscores that, “All these machinations are surely in preparation for the grand electoral manipulation of the 2027 general elections and the enthronement of a one-party democracy that would pave the way towards dictatorship.”
It stressed that, “While the PDP is placing confidence on the new INEC Chairman, it is and will continue to monitor and watch closely, the actions and or in-actions of the electoral ombudsman, before, during and after elections.”
The party added that, “Going by the vulnerability of the Nigeria Police to being misused by the powers that be, there are also expressions of genuine fears that the Police could be used to prevent or disperse the forthcoming lawful political assembly.”
“For these and many other reasons, the Nigerian Judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the Nigeria Police and all other organizations and individuals responsible for the conduct of elections and other electoral processes, must be urged to exhibit high sense of patriotism in the discharge of their official responsibilities,” It stressed.
According to the PDP, “They must remember that they will be called to account for their deeds here or hereafter or both. After all, their refusal to abide by laid down rules and regulations, their selfish actions and or in-actions, are not only capable of truncating the nation’s democratic evolution but could also lead to chaos, destruction and national disaster.”
It added, “Above all, they must discharge their official responsibilities with the fear of their creator and in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”
It however appealed, “To the PDP faithful, it is time to unite more than ever before, get courage and remained steadfast to protecting the legacy of the party through solidarity, unity and loyalty.
Nothing should be allowed to injure the forthcoming National Convention, bearing in mind that we have fought hard, worked so diligently to the nurturing of Nigerian democracy to its present stage.”
“Members of the party should not succumb to the antics of fifth columnist, agents of anti-democratic practice to thwart the reputation of the party, which by all standard, is the truly national party in the country which had previously ruled with vision and excellent leadership,” It added.
According to the Sub-Committee,”The Peoples Government ran by President Goodluck Jonathan attests to PDP’s quality trait of leadership, an era that all Nigerians are yearning for its restoration. Those times of affordability, quality life, moderate prices of commodities, flexible policies with human face and above all unity of Nigeria as a result of inclusivity and open door policies in governance.”
It stressed that, “The Jonathan Era, remained a shining example of how versatile was PDP as a house with quality people, an assemblage of patriotic citizens who always discuss and consult in the best interest of the nation before embarking of any policy drive.”.
The Sub-committee concluded, “Members of PDP, need to note that, the leadership of the party and its caucus are working round the clock to withstand all possible elements of sabotage be it from state institutions or hired individuals. Friendly Civil Society Organizations, and international Communities are being contacted as at appropriate to join hands in preserving and protecting our democratic culture.”
When contacted a one time Bauchi State House of Assembly member, Alhaji Ahmad Isa Tahir said that all the allegations are baseless because PDP is already a dead party that is why Nigerians are leaving the Party.
Isa Tahir further said that their problems are internal wranglings among them which they need to settle not to apportion blame to anybody or organisation but they should blame themselves for their refusal to put their House in order and assured that APC will win 2027 elections.
