PDP says INEC, judicial reforms key to electoral success, not coalition

Secretary of the North Central Chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Francis Orogu, has insisted that the outcome of the 2027 general elections will not be determined by political coalitions or conspiracies involving traditional and religious leaders, but by the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Judiciary. In a statement on Sunday, Orogu alleged that electoral processes in Nasarawa State, in particular, were being manipulated through the collusion of INEC, the judiciary, traditional rulers, and religious leaders. According to the immediate past chairman of the PDP in Nasarawa State, credible elections in 2027 can only be achieved if reforms are carried out within INEC and the judiciary. “The success of the 2027 elections will not depend on how well politicians form coalitions or on the political conspiracies of traditional and religious leaders, but on building a solid foundation through the reform of a disciplined INEC and judiciary,” the statement read. He further stressed that traditional institutions and religious leaders must detach themselves from partisan politics and remain neutrality, if Nasarawa State is to have a genuine electoral process. Orogu urged political leaders to uphold the dignity of Nigerians, shun corruption, tackle insecurity, and improve the welfare of citizens, noting that integrity and fairness must guide leadership if peace and sustainable development are to be achieved. “We must improve and redevelop our electoral safeguards in Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large to protect the people’s mandate and usher in leaders of values and integrity, not political and financial opportunists. We must reject those who ignore the loss of lives to bandits while focusing only on governance strategies that loot public resources,” he warned. The PDP chieftain also called for a legal framework to mandate electronic accreditation in elections, saying it would further guarantee transparency and restore public confidence in the electoral system. He urged citizens to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as vital weapons to vote out bad governance, poverty, and hardship allegedly brought by the APC-led government. “Without your voter’s card, you cannot effectively participate in the elections or vote for the candidates of your choice. Ahead of 2027, residents of Nasarawa must turn out en masse to register and obtain their PVCs as their tool for change,” Orogu declared. He assured PDP members in the state that the party is well-positioned to resist defeat, emphasizing that this time, politics would be “face-me-I-face-you,” where, in his words, “what belongs to Caesar will be given to Caesar—no more, no less.”