George alleges APC, INEC plot against democracy, Moro blames PDP’s internal crisis

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has raised alarm over what he described as a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weaken Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued yesterday, George accused both institutions of actions and statements that, in his view, suggest an attempt to prevent the emergence of any presidential candidate outside President Bola Tinubu in the next election cycle. He warned that such moves could erode democratic values and threaten political stability in the country.

Drawing a biblical parallel, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland likened the current political climate to the story of Abimelech in the Book of Judges, noting that abuse of power and injustice often come with consequences.

George called on political leaders, elders, and stakeholders across party lines to speak out against actions capable of undermining democratic institutions. Reflecting on Nigeria’s political journey, he cautioned against allowing the nation to slide into instability, stressing that its diversity requires a strong multi-party system for effective governance.

However, Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, offered a different perspective, attributing the crises within political parties—especially the PDP—to the actions of their own members rather than external forces.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Moro said political actors, including governors, lawmakers, and party leaders, are largely responsible for the internal conflicts affecting their parties.

“The apparent crisis in political parties is generated and aggravated by political actors,” he said, dismissing claims that the PDP is fragmented into multiple factions. “There is only one PDP.”

Moro also revisited the party’s controversial Ibadan convention, noting that failure to comply with a subsisting court order worsened internal tensions. He added that disagreements among key figures, including Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde, contributed to the crisis surrounding the choice of venue.

Despite the challenges, Moro maintained that the PDP remains functional, pointing to a recent convention monitored by INEC, which he said produced a recognised leadership.