The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep concern over the Appeal Court’s decision to nullify Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election in Plateau State. The court’s move, replacing him with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, has sparked fears of a potential one-party state, according to PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
While awaiting full details of the court’s judgment, Ologunagba emphasized the PDP’s ongoing effort to highlight what they perceive as attempts to sideline the opposition through the judiciary.
Last week, he had raised an alarm regarding the government’s alleged push towards a one-party system, utilizing both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
The PDP contends that certain actions within the government indicate a desire to weaken democratic institutions, particularly INEC and the judiciary, leading to concerns about the imposition of a one-party state.
They point to instances where election results favoring PDP candidates were overturned in favor of APC candidates, citing conflicts with constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
Expressing worry about the implications for Nigeria’s democracy, unity, and political stability, the PDP urges President Bola Tinubu to denounce any actions that could stifle democracy. The party also calls on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal to safeguard the judiciary’s independence in the face of challenges.
The statement reads;
“This unfolding anti-democratic scenario is not only evident in the manipulation of elections but also in the conflicting judgments by electoral Courts, especially some Election Appeal Court Panels which judgments conflict with the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC’s Guidelines and Regulations for elections.
“What is more worrisome is that these obnoxiously contradictory judgments are targeted at the PDP to the effect that elections that were clearly won by PDP candidates are snatched away at the Courts and awarded to defeated candidates of the APC contrary to the provisions of the Law.
“Aside from the preponderance of such ugly scenarios in Plateau State, the conduct and outcome of certain election petitions in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa and other States of the nation where PDP was robbed of victory through the Courts are pointers to a systemic emasculation of the opposition in a bid to impose a one-party State and pave way for totalitarianism in the country.
“This situation is a clear and present danger to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy, unity, political stability and corporate existence as a nation, which is capable of breeding agitation, citizens loss of confidence in the system, restiveness, anarchy and chaos.
“Democracy must be allowed to thrive as the government of the people as expressed by their Will at elections. Any intrusion, breach, violation and/or transgression against that expressed Will as being witnessed today under the APC is a clear recipe for a serious political crisis and portends grave consequences for our country.
“It is therefore imperative to draw the attention of Nigerians and the whole world to the undermining and crippling of democracy and the danger our nation is facing at this moment.”