Turaki-Ied PDP Warns Tinubu Of Rising Tension Ahead Of 2027 Election

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that rising political tension, alleged attacks on opposition figures and declining confidence in electoral institutions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general election.

The faction called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and halt what it described as a growing pattern of political violence, intimidation and attempts to weaken opposition parties ahead of the election.

National Chairman of the faction’s Interim National Working Committee, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), gave the warning on Sunday in Abuja at an expanded meeting of the faction’s National Working Committee.

Turak who addressed Journalists shortly after  the meeting i accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of shrinking the country’s democratic space through alleged attacks on opposition members, political interference and the manipulation of judicial processes.

He warned that Nigeria was heading towards a dangerous political environment reminiscent of the crises that contributed to the collapse of the First and Second Republics.

According to him, the suppression of opposition parties, engineered political crises and the use of state institutions to frustrate political competition had historically weakened democratic governance in the country.

The PDP faction said the current political atmosphere raised serious concerns about the future of democracy, particularly as preparations gathered momentum for the 2027 election.

Turaki cited findings from Yiaga Africa’s third National Voting Intentions Survey, released on October 7, 2026, which indicated that although 84 per cent of Nigerians were likely or very likely to vote, 61 per cent feared that electoral violence could prevent them from participating.

He further noted that only 34 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections, representing a decline from 45 per cent in the two previous rounds of the survey.

The faction also expressed concern that 63 per cent of Nigerians had little or no confidence in the judiciary’s ability to resolve electoral disputes fairly, with the figure reportedly rising to 81 per cent in the South-South.

Turaki said the findings should compel the Federal Government to take urgent measures to restore public confidence in the electoral process.

He warned that the situation could worsen the already low voter turnout recorded during the 2023 presidential election, when fewer than 28 per cent of registered voters participated.

The Tanimu Turaki-led PDP also accused the APC of encouraging an atmosphere of hostility against opposition parties, citing alleged attacks on supporters of Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in different states, including Delta State.

It further cited alleged attempts to obstruct the campaign activities of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ADC supporters in Sokoto, as well as the reported attack on activist and politician Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State.

The faction alleged that suspected APC operatives were behind some of the incidents, warning that political violence and intimidation could discourage opposition participation and undermine the credibility of future elections.

It also accused the ruling party of exploiting internal disputes within opposition parties and using court proceedings to destabilise rival political platforms.

Turaki particularly criticised what he described as the increasing judicialisation of politics, alleging that court cases and judgments had been deployed to weaken opposition parties and advance the interests of the ruling party.

He condemned alleged threats by some public officials against voters who refused to support the APC, insisting that Nigerians must be allowed to freely choose their leaders without intimidation.

The PDP faction, however, warned that forcing electoral victories would not necessarily translate into public acceptance or political legitimacy.

Turaki said: “There are two elections coming up: the first for the heart of the country, and the second for the office of the President.”

According to him, the APC and the Presidency appeared more concerned about securing political power than winning the confidence and support of Nigerians.

“What will it profit their party and candidates if they force a ‘win’ at the elections, but completely lose the country and derail democracy?” he asked.

To avert further deterioration, the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP demanded that President Tinubu publicly condemn political violence and ensure that all persons implicated in attacks on opposition candidates and supporters were investigated and prosecuted, irrespective of their political affiliations.

It also urged security agencies, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), to publish a comprehensive security plan for the elections and guarantee the safety of candidates, campaign rallies and voters.

The faction called on governments at all levels to stop denying opposition parties access to public facilities for campaign activities and urged public officials to desist from threatening voters.

It further asked INEC to address discrepancies and alleged irregularities in the voters’ register, while urging the judiciary to dispense justice strictly in accordance with the law.

Turaki appealed to Nigerians not to surrender in the defence of democracy, insisting that citizens must continue to demand accountability, responsible leadership and the dividends of democratic governance.

He said the 2027 election presented another opportunity for Nigerians to elect leaders committed to putting the interests of the people first.