ABUJA – Prince Uche Secondus, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that the year 2027 may never materialize in Nigeria’s political landscape, alleging that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has effectively “murdered and buried democracy.”
Secondus made these statements in a press release issued by his Media Adviser, Ike Abonyi, on Tuesday in Abuja, expressing grave concerns over the conduct and outcome of the recent Edo State gubernatorial election.
He criticized the election process, claiming that every democratic principle was violated to ensure the APC candidate’s victory. “There were clear indications that the ruling party is on a mission to murder and bury democracy in Nigeria,” Secondus asserted.
Describing the events in Edo as a blatant display of electoral fraud, Secondus stated that there was a complete disregard for the rule of law and the rights of voters. He pointed to the troubling trends observed in the recent off-cycle elections in Imo, Kogi, and Edo states, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, has shown no remorse for the “sham” elections conducted in 2023, which he claims have thrown Nigeria into disarray.
Highlighting comments made by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Secondus noted that Ganduje’s “shameless boast” about replicating the Edo election strategy in upcoming off-cycle elections in Ondo and Anambra states indicates a deliberate agenda to establish a one-party state by suppressing opposition.
“The beauty of democracy lies in opposing voices that serve to check the ruling party, but the APC is determined to stifle Nigeria with their misrule while simultaneously refusing to tolerate dissenting views,” Secondus said.
He cautioned that Nigeria’s democracy is precariously balanced on a “keg of gunpowder” due to rampant electoral rigging. “If the Edo election stands, it will be challenging to conduct future elections in Nigeria,” he warned.
Secondus reiterated that the manipulation witnessed during the Edo state election was brazen, initiated by the harassment and arrest of opposition leaders, along with the compromising of key figures such as security agencies and electoral officials.
“The world is watching the disgrace we bring to this beautiful form of government that other nations use to stabilize and develop their countries,” he concluded.