Former top opposition figure Bode George has accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being an unstable coalition and warned the electoral commission against any attempt to interfere in opposition party affairs ahead of the 2027 general elections.
George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remarks on Friday during the inauguration of new Lagos State PDP executives. He alleged the APC is pushing the nation to a crisis point by plotting to rig the next presidential election and cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from electoral malpractice.
“APC is just a coalition of strange bedfellows,” George stated. He firmly asserted that INEC has no constitutional authority to impose leaders on political parties, adding that opposition parties would resist any such move. “In PDP, INEC cannot choose our leaders for us. Opposition parties will resist this irresponsible behaviour from the electoral umpire,” he said.
The former military administrator of Ondo State also criticised the conduct of the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) local government election, describing it as “shambolic and mismanaged.” He alleged that security personnel disrupted voting at a polling unit in Abuja by firing tear gas and snatching ballot boxes, calling the incident “shameful and despicable.”
George assured PDP members of a revitalised party, stressing that anti-democratic elements within the APC would not be permitted to undermine the opposition. His comments highlight escalating political tensions as the country prepares for the 2027 polls, with the opposition rallying against perceived threats to electoral integrity and internal party democracy.
The statements come amid persistent concerns about INEC’s independence and the fairness of Nigeria’s electoral process. George’s position as a veteran PDP chieftain lends weight to the opposition’s narrative, setting the stage for a confrontational political environment in the lead-up to the next national election.
