PDP Accuses INEC Of Institutional Bias, Plot To Weaken Opposition

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of institutional bias, alleging that the electoral body is contributing to efforts to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, and shared on the PDP’s official social media platform.

The PDP said its concerns followed INEC’s refusal to recognise its Interim National Working Committee despite being formally notified of the leadership structure following the Supreme Court’s judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.

The party said it subsequently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise the interim leadership.

However, it expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling, describing it as inconsistent with previous judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The PDP said it had appealed the judgment, stressing that the legal action was aimed at protecting the integrity of the party from what it described as attempts to turn Nigeria’s leading opposition party into “an appendage of the ruling party.”

“We approached the court to preserve the integrity of the Peoples Democratic Party from those who seek to reduce Nigeria’s foremost opposition party into an appendage of the ruling party,” the statement said.

The party further alleged that INEC’s conduct during the legal proceedings had heightened concerns about the commission’s neutrality.

“The Commission’s actions have regrettably reinforced the growing public perception that it is no longer acting with the impartiality expected of the nation’s electoral umpire,” the PDP stated.

It accused the electoral commission of withholding material facts in court proceedings involving the party and disregarding congresses conducted under INEC’s supervision whenever such facts contradicted the commission’s position before the courts.

“The Commission’s filings, its arguments before the courts, and its refusal to comply with court orders favourable to our Party have collectively created an impression of institutional bias that should concern every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement added.

The PDP also alleged that INEC’s refusal to recognise its interim leadership was part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition parties and pave the way for what it described as a one-party state in Nigeria.

The party, however, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would resolve the legal issues surrounding the leadership dispute and reaffirm the authority of earlier judgments delivered by higher courts.

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