The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of making a concerted effort to destroy the opposition party and establish a totalitarian regime.
The PDP claims that the APC is working with agents within its ranks to spread false narratives, particularly regarding alleged forgeries of its electoral guidelines.
This allegation was made by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
Ologunagba’s remarks followed media reports suggesting that some PDP officials had been questioned over claims of forgery related to the party’s Primary Election Guidelines.
In his statement, Ologunagba clarified, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to sensational and misleading reports in a section of the media suggesting that its Primary Election Guidelines have allegedly been compromised by forgery.” He went on to emphasize that the PDP’s guidelines had not been altered or forged in any way, rejecting the claims as baseless.
The PDP spokesperson further stated that the misleading reports were part of a broader strategy orchestrated by individuals connected to the APC. “The PDP has however been made aware that the misleading reports are at the instance of certain resentful individuals who, as agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are desperately seeking ways to create a scandal, discredit the integrity of PDP’s internal processes and bring the Party to public ridicule,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP also condemned the actions of individuals allegedly backed by high-ranking APC officials, particularly a figure who has openly expressed intentions to undermine the PDP and pave the way for a single-party rule. Ologunagba claimed, “Our Party is shocked by the level of desperation being displayed by these individuals reportedly with the backing of a particular top official in the APC administration who had on several occasions vowed to destroy the PDP to enable the APC entrench a totalitarian and oppressive one-party system in our nation to the resentment and detriment of Nigerians.”
Additionally, Ologunagba pointed out the alleged involvement of these individuals in fostering internal discord within the PDP and using intimidation, threats, and police harassment to target party members and officials. He also criticized their efforts to drag the police and a magistrate court into the party’s internal affairs, noting that higher courts, including the Supreme Court, have ruled that matters related to candidate nominations are strictly within the domain of political parties.
“The PDP is appalled by the scandalous and reprehensible attempt by these desperate individuals to drag the police and a magistrate Court in Abuja into the Party’s internal affairs despite pronouncement of various Courts of higher hierarchy including the Supreme Court stating that issues touching on the nomination of candidates for elections are strictly internal affairs of political parties over which the courts have no jurisdiction,” Ologunagba added.
Despite these challenges, the PDP reaffirmed its commitment to resisting any efforts to destabilize the party or undermine democracy. “The PDP remains strong, undeterred and will continue to firmly resist any onslaught or machination by anti-people forces who are seeking to destabilize our Party, emasculate opposition, undermine the nation’s democracy and instill an oppressive one-party regime against the Will of the people.”
The party also reassured its members and supporters, asserting that its Primary Election Guidelines have not been compromised and urging them to disregard the reports of forgery. “Our Party reassures all members and teeming supporters that its Primary Election Guidelines have not been compromised by forgery and such reports of forgery should therefore be disregarded.”
