The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of shopping for endorsements for President Bola Tinubu, saying his work should speak for him ahead of the 2027 election.
PDP’s spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, said this on Monday in Abuja, while addressing journalists.
He accused the APC and its members of engaging in early campaigns in violation of the 2022 Electoral Act.
“The reason for the ruling party’s early campaigns is because the APC and President Tinubu are jittery about the recalibration of the PDP,” he said.
“The PDP is well known to Nigeria, doing what it knows how to do best: reconciliation, getting people together, working together and giving everybody a sense of belonging.
“The APC now calibrate to a new level where they panic and begin to do what I call endorsement shopping. The president and the APC are looking for endorsement.
“If the president is doing well and the APC is succeeding, they should let their work speak for them.
“So, the APC is in panic mode. The fact is that they are not doing well, they have failed, and they recognise that Nigeria truly knows that this APC has failed the country.
“The panic mode of the APC government at present is a sign of a failed government. You know that your policy is not working, and you say, let’s spin it, let’s gas and slide it. This is not working because Nigerians have seen through it.
“Let your work endorse you. Let your achievement endorse you.”
Ologunagba said any attempt to manipulate the 2027 election would be resisted, adding that the people must be allowed to express themselves freely via the ballot.
“We want votes to count, be counted, and reflect the people’s wishes. The only body responsible for ensuring this and safeguarding democracy is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” he said.
He called for an amendment to the Electoral Act to ensure the mandatory transmission of election results.
“From all available evidence, there appears to be institutional manipulation of the electoral process,” he said.
“Today, people running private businesses can use POS machines to buy and withdraw cash anywhere in the country.
“Bank ATMs also work virtually everywhere, handling massive volumes. So, why does an ATM card work in a remote village, but the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) doesn’t?
“That appears to be deliberate institutional manipulation. If POS machines at polling units work without issues, yet BVAS, with backup batteries, experiences glitches at the exact location, it strongly suggests manipulation by INEC.
“Nigerians are now fully aware of these tactics. BVAS, iReV, and other INEC technologies must be institutionalised and supported by law.
“We as a party are going to take charge. Nigerians will not listen to any story about a glitch. There must be none because the infrastructure in the country today can support electronic transmission of results.”
