The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the withdrawal of some of its chairmanship candidates from the upcoming Abuja area council elections, describing the move as “shameful” and made without the party’s consent.
In a statement on Friday, National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong said the party received the news “with utter dismay,” labeling the action anti-democratic and unacceptable.
The PDP stressed that democracy thrives on competitive electoral contests, not what it called “forced or induced consensus,” suggesting that the withdrawals reflect a troubling trend in the lead-up to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) local council polls.
The party also accused certain individuals, allegedly posing as party leaders, of attempting to compromise the PDP’s independence for the benefit of the President. According to the statement, the withdrawals form part of a broader agenda to weaken opposition within the party ahead of future elections.
“These actions were among the reasons the affected individuals were previously expelled from the party in efforts to rebuild a strong opposition capable of contesting for power in 2027,” the statement added.
The PDP warned that such practices risk undermining internal party democracy, claiming that attempts to coerce candidates to step down could extend to presidential elections, allowing the incumbent a smoother path to re-election despite criticisms of his administration.
