A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives aspirant, Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, has claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is now an appendage of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, he stated that the electoral body has compromised its neutrality by recognising a disputed PDP convention linked to the Nyesom Wike-led faction.
He condemned INEC’s decision to recognise the outcome of the contested convention, adding that it shows that the electoral body has aligned itself with the ruling party.
“No, it doesn’t matter. INEC has already shown that it is a branch of the APC and the ruling government,” he said.
He further alleged that the commission’s actions demonstrate a pattern of bias in handling internal party disputes. “INEC has shown that it is partisan, this INEC,” he added.
According to him, the recognition of the convention disregards existing legal disputes and internal party decisions.
“Because by that time when the… we went to court, and INEC called for a meeting… after the party had taken a position… that so-and-so group of people have been expelled,” he said.
Iroegbu argued that the convention itself lacks legal standing, maintaining that the process leading to it was flawed.
“That convention has no legality whatsoever because… in the eyes of the law, the foundation where they started from does not exist,” he said.
He warned that INEC’s actions could have broader implications for Nigeria’s democracy if left unchecked.
“But they should watch it, because what they are doing is dangerous,” he said.
“Because if they oppress to the level where the people will say, if I don’t… if I can’t get justice, what should I do? Revolt?” he added.
Iroegbu maintained that his faction of the PDP would continue to challenge the situation through legal means.
“That is why we are going through the legal means to ensure that we get legitimacy,” he said.
