The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan, of acting as an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), raising serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement shared on its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the PDP expressed deep dissatisfaction with what it described as selective compliance with court orders and a persistent lack of transparency in INEC’s electronic transmission systems. The party argued that these actions have eroded public trust and created a chilling effect on democratic participation across the country.
The PDP emphasized that for any democracy to endure, especially during periods of economic hardship, citizens must believe their votes can lead to real political change. This belief, the party stressed, depends entirely on the independence and impartiality of electoral bodies like INEC. However, the party claims that under Professor Amupitan’s leadership, INEC has increasingly aligned itself with the APC’s interests, undermining its role as a neutral arbiter in Nigeria’s political landscape. The PDP stated that this perceived bias threatens to preserve the status quo and diminish the credibility of future elections.
The party pointed to specific issues, including INEC’s inconsistent adherence to judicial rulings and the lack of clarity surrounding the electronic transmission of results, which have fueled public skepticism. These concerns, according to the PDP, have led to a historic low in public confidence in the electoral body. The party warned that if these challenges are not addressed, the 2027 elections may face widespread rejection or low voter turnout due to a loss of faith in the system.
In its statement, the PDP quoted: “INEC under Professor Joash Amupitan, increasingly behaves like an extension of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.” It further noted that “for any democracy to survive an economic depression, the public must believe that their pain can translate into political consequences via the ballot box.” The party stressed that this belief is only possible with an independent and transparent electoral umpire, which it claims INEC is no longer.
The allegations come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic instability, inflation, and security challenges, making credible elections even more critical. The PDP’s accusations have sparked debate across political and civil society circles, with calls for greater accountability and reform within INEC. As the 2027 elections draw closer, the demand for a fair, transparent, and credible electoral process will only grow stronger, placing immense pressure on INEC to restore public trust.
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