Ebonyi PDP Alleges APC Plot to Suppress Opposition, Petitions Security Agencies, INEC, Human Rights Bodies, Others

From Nwabogbonna Ogbonna, Abakaliki

The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that it has received what it described as credible intelligence about fresh moves by the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to further suppress opposition activities in the state.

The party said it had consequently petitioned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); the National Intelligence Agency (NIA); the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Nigeria; national, regional and international human rights and pro-democracy organisations; and the media.

The PDP said its decision was aimed at putting its members, party structures and stakeholders on heightened alert and drawing the attention of relevant institutions to what it described as a potentially dangerous development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s spokesperson and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Darlington Onwe, disclosed this at a press conference held on Thursday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

Onwe alleged that information available to the party indicated that the ruling APC was planning to procure or otherwise manipulate Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) illegally ahead of the 2027 elections, with the alleged objective of creating a basis for intimidating, harassing, arresting or detaining perceived members and supporters of the opposition.

He said the PDP was particularly concerned that allegations relating to illegal possession or trafficking of voter cards could be used as a pretext for indiscriminate arrests or other forms of political pressure against opposition members.

The PDP spokesperson further linked the party’s concerns to what he described as reported threats by Governor Nwifuru to deal with opposition parties in the state.

He argued that such statements, when viewed alongside the alleged intelligence received by the party, warranted closer scrutiny by security agencies and other institutions responsible for protecting democratic rights and electoral integrity.

However, the allegations made by the PDP were not independently established in the statement, and the party called on the relevant authorities to investigate them rather than allow any political dispute to escalate into a security or human-rights crisis.

Onwe maintained that PDP members in Ebonyi remained law-abiding despite what he described as mounting political pressure, adding that any attempt to use security agencies or criminal allegations to target opposition politicians must be subjected to due process and the rule of law.

He argued that any unlawful restriction of political activities would be inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2026 and other applicable laws governing political participation, electoral conduct and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

Onwe said the alleged actions contemplated by the APC-led administration, if carried out unlawfully, could infringe on rights to personal liberty, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association and freedom of movement guaranteed under Sections 35, 39, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He added that the constitutional framework governing political parties and political participation, including Section 222 and related provisions, required public authorities to respect lawful political activity and due process.

“We therefore reject, in its entirety, any attempt to associate our members with unlawful dealings in PVCs, and we hold that such a narrative, if deliberately manufactured, could be used to justify a pre-planned campaign of arrests, intimidation and harassment against our party faithful.

“Accordingly, we wish to place on record that any unlawful action contemplated by the Ebonyi State Government or the ruling APC against opposition members would constitute a grave violation of fundamental constitutional rights and democratic principles.”he said.

The PDP also invoked Nigeria’s international and regional human-rights obligations, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

It further cited the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, adopted in 2001, as part of the regional framework supporting constitutional governance, democratic participation, fundamental rights and credible electoral processes. ECOWAS itself identifies the promotion and consolidation of democratic governance, human rights and popular participation as among its fundamental principles.

Onwe said:”Any attempt to weaponise state security architecture to entrap, arrest or detain PDP members on manufactured allegations would amount to an assault on these instruments and on the democratic character of the Nigerian State.
“Security agencies must remain professionally neutral and must not allow themselves to be used as instruments of political intimidation. Any allegation of electoral malpractice or criminal conduct should be investigated transparently, and where evidence exists, prosecution should follow the law and due process rather than political considerations.”

The party said the situation had prompted it to raise its internal security alert to what it described as “RED,” placing its members, structures and stakeholders on heightened vigilance.

“In light of the foregoing, the PDP Ebonyi State hereby raises its internal security alert to RED by placing all our members, structures and stakeholders on high alert. We will not hesitate to mobilise all lawful, constitutional and diplomatic channels available to us should any plot be carried out against any of our members,” Onwe said.
He stressed, however, that the party’s response would remain within the bounds of the law.
“We reiterate our commitment to peaceful, lawful and constitutional politics, and we call on Governor Nwifuru and the leadership of the APC in Ebonyi State to embrace issue-based governance and genuine democratic engagement rather than the persecution of perceived political opponents,” he said.
The PDP also called on INEC, security agencies, human-rights institutions and other stakeholders to monitor the political environment in Ebonyi State closely and ensure that allegations of electoral offences are investigated impartially, while legitimate opposition activities are protected.

The party urged the state government and all political actors to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation and actions capable of deepening political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.

INEC has confirmed that a new Electoral Act, 2026, is now in force and has said that it is adjusting the electoral timetable and continuing efforts to strengthen the integrity of the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections.