Nigeria bigger than anybody’s ambition - PDP tells Tinubu

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to address rising political tension and violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party warned that no political ambition should be allowed to threaten the country’s survival.

The National Chairman of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, said attacks on opposition politicians, voter intimidation and declining confidence in electoral institutions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.

Turaki spoke on Sunday at a press conference in Abuja, where he presented a statement titled, The Country Is Boiling; Can We Reduce the Temperature?

“The APC is making it difficult for opposition parties to operate freely through attacks, intimidation and the use of court cases to weaken political competition,” he said.

“Nigeria’s past has shown that weakening opposition parties and manipulating elections can create political tension and eventually lead to instability.”

“Nigeria is bigger than anybody and the ambition of any individual. We must appreciate that this country must survive for you to become whatever you want to become.

“Whether you want to be a president, a governor, a member of the National Assembly or an ordinary councillor in your ward, you must have a country first,” he added.

He said the survey showed that although 84 per cent of Nigerians were willing to vote, 61 per cent feared that election violence could prevent them from visiting polling stations.

He also said only 34 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, while 63 per cent had little or no confidence in the judiciary’s ability to resolve electoral disputes fairly.

The PDP chairman further cited alleged attacks on supporters of Peter Obi, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential campaign of Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore in Delta, Sokoto and Ekiti States.

He accused individuals linked to the APC of being behind some of the incidents and alleged that opposition parties were facing intimidation and politically motivated court cases.

Turaki also expressed concern over alleged threats by some public officials to displace voters who refused to support the ruling party.

He described such actions as a threat to citizens’ right to freely choose their leaders.

He recalled Jonathan’s pledge that his ambition was not worth any Nigerian’s blood, contrasting it with Buhari’s pre-2015 election warning and Tinubu’s reported remarks that elections were not a tea party and victory must be grabbed, snatched and run with.

“You may win an election through intimidation and violence, but you may end up losing the trust and support of the people.”

He called on Tinubu to publicly condemn political violence and ensure that those accused of attacking opposition politicians and their supporters were investigated and prosecuted where evidence established their involvement.

The PDP also demanded that security agencies make their election security plans public.

The party also urged governments to allow opposition parties equal access to public facilities for their campaigns.

It called on INEC to correct alleged errors in the voters’ register and asked the judiciary to remain independent and deliver justice without executive interference.