The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a fierce accusation against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming that the party is orchestrating a scheme to transform Nigeria into a one-party state.
This allegation was brought forward during a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting held on Thursday, October 10, 2024, where the PDP strongly condemned the outcome of the recently concluded Edo State governorship election.
In a statement signed by Senator Adolphus Wubara, the PDP alleged that the September 21 election was marred by “brazen rigging” orchestrated by the APC, in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and compromised members of the Nigerian Police.
The statement insisted that the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the true winner of the election.
“The BoT in very strong terms condemns and rejects the brazen rigging of the Edo State governorship election by the APC, in connivance with @inecnigeria and some compromised @PoliceNG operatives,” the statement read.
“It is clear from the votes cast at the polling units that the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, won the election. The @OfficialPDPNig will take every legitimate step to recover the mandate freely given to our Party by the people of Edo State.”
The PDP went further to claim that the manipulation of the Edo election is part of a larger strategy by the APC to impose a one-party system in Nigeria, warning that this push toward totalitarian rule must be strongly resisted by Nigerians.
“The electoral manipulation in Edo State is part of the sinister plot by the APC to foist a one-party system and totalitarian rule on our country, which must be firmly resisted,” the PDP declared.
The PDP also raised concerns ahead of the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, urging Nigerians to be vigilant and resist any attempt by the APC to rig the election.
“The BoT urges Nigerians to resist any plan by the APC to rig the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State. The PDP is in a strong position to win, and we must not allow anyone to manipulate the election against our party.”
Additionally, the BoT expressed concern over the internal crisis within the PDP in Rivers State and called for intensified efforts to resolve the issues. The party also reviewed the conduct of congresses across various states and urged that all areas of concern be addressed to strengthen its position moving forward.
With the political tension heating up ahead of upcoming elections, the PDP’s statement is likely to add to the growing debate about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and the future of multiparty democracy in the country.