Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has issued a stern warning about the fragile state of Nigeria’s democracy, blaming rampant electoral rigging by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement released through his media adviser, Ike Abonyi, in Abuja on Tuesday, Secondus expressed grave concerns over the future of the country’s political system, suggesting that the next general election in 2027 may not happen if the current trajectory continues.
Secondus’s alarm was sparked by the recent gubernatorial election in Edo State, where he alleged that the APC engaged in widespread electoral malpractices to secure victory.
According to Secondus, this manipulation exemplifies how the ruling party has “murdered and buried” democratic principles, undermining free and fair elections through voter disenfranchisement and flagrant violations of electoral laws.
His concerns extended beyond Edo, citing similar rigging patterns in off-cycle elections in Imo and Kogi states.
Secondus was particularly critical of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of continuing the flaws from the 2023 general elections without any effort to restore the integrity of the electoral process.
He specifically blamed INEC’s leadership under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for the institution’s compromised role in Nigeria’s elections.
Secondus also took issue with APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s recent comments, where Ganduje hinted at replicating the “Edo election template” in upcoming Ondo and Anambra elections.
Secondus described this as a dangerous agenda to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by silencing opposition and dismantling the checks and balances that are vital to democracy.
“The beauty of democracy lies in the existence of opposing voices that check the ruling party, but the APC is determined to ground Nigeria with its misrule, while silencing all dissenting views,” Secondus lamented.
He further warned that if the electoral malpractice witnessed in Edo is allowed to stand, it could spell doom for the future of elections in Nigeria.
He concluded with a call for international attention, stating, “The world is watching the shame we bring to this beautiful system of government that other nations use to foster stability and development.”
