The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said the delisting of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is evidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) intends to win the next presidential election by hook or crook.
PDP, in a statement issued by the factional National Publicity Secretary Ini Emembong, regretted that INEC and other national institutions have now become the executioners of this ill-conceived plan.
“To achieve this, no boundary is respected, and nothing is too much to sacrifice, including derailing democracy, truncating the republic, and destroying Nigeria,” the party stated.
PDP noted that INEC’s derecognition of Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC) further heightened the already political situation, and accused the commission of wrong interpretation of the judgement of the Court of Appeal and other pending cases before various courts.
According to the party, INEC’s alleged default interpretation of matters concerning political parties appears to consistently favour a much-perceived notion, describing it as troubling.
“In such circumstances, ulterior motives cannot be discounted,” PDP said.
The party stated that Nigerians have observed a series of political party monitoring activities recently published by INEC, adding that while these activities fall within its statutory powers, “the timing raises legitimate concerns.
“These activities are rumoured to result in the de-registration of opposition political parties- a development that would further injure our democracy.”
PDP advised INEC not to yield to partisan pressures or the influence of appointing authorities.
It, however, called on the commission to place the interests of democracy and the country above all else.
“They should draw lessons from history and the conduct of their counterparts in past democratic republics, where, many years later, people are still battling to clear their names of acts done against the Nigerian people.
“This is a critical moment in our democratic journey, where the fragility and vulnerability of the polity are being tested to their limits.
“No individual or institution should stretch the patience of Nigerians beyond its present bounds. We must adopt a ‘country-first’ disposition that transcends partisan cleavages,” PDP further advised.
