The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently denied allegations of forgery regarding its primary election guidelines, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused disgruntled individuals backed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of fabricating the allegations to discredit the party’s internal processes.
The denial comes amid reports that certain PDP leaders and officials were summoned by the police for questioning over alleged forgery of party documents. Ologunagba clarified that the PDP’s primary election guidelines remain intact and unaltered, dismissing the reports as misleading.
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to sensational and misleading reports in a section of the media suggesting that its primary election guidelines have allegedly been compromised by forgery. The PDP states in clear and unequivocal terms that its primary election guidelines, as approved by the party, have not been compromised by forgery in any way, contrary to the claims being peddled in these reports,” the statement read.
The PDP alleged that the forgery claims were orchestrated by individuals acting as agents of the APC, aiming to create a scandal and undermine the party’s credibility.
Read also: Kidnapped Catholic priest, two others freed after four days in captivity
“The PDP has, however, become aware that these misleading reports are the work of certain resentful individuals who, as agents of the All Progressives Congress, are desperately seeking ways to create a scandal, discredit the integrity of the PDP’s internal processes, and bring the party into public ridicule,” Ologunagba stated.
He further accused a top APC official of backing the plot, claiming the individual had repeatedly vowed to destroy the PDP to establish a one-party system in Nigeria.
“Our party is shocked by the level of desperation displayed by these individuals, reportedly acting with the backing of a top official in the APC administration, who has repeatedly vowed to destroy the PDP in order to entrench a totalitarian and oppressive one-party system in our nation, to the detriment of Nigerians,” the statement added.
The PDP said it determined to resist any attempt to destabilize the party or undermine Nigeria’s democracy. It also condemned the alleged harassment of its officials and members by the police, describing the actions as scandalous and reprehensible.
“The PDP is also aware of the involvement of these disgruntled individuals in inciting disagreements within some party chapters, as well as their intimidation, threats, and police harassment of party officials, staff, and members. Our party is appalled by the scandalous and reprehensible attempt by these desperate individuals to drag the police and a magistrate’s court in Abuja into the party’s internal affairs,” the statement read.
The party emphasized that matters concerning the nomination of candidates for elections are internal affairs, as established by various court rulings, including those of the Supreme Court.
“Despite rulings from various higher courts, including the Supreme Court, which have established that matters concerning the nomination of candidates for elections are strictly internal affairs of political parties, over which the courts have no jurisdiction, these individuals continue to meddle in our affairs,” Ologunagba stated.
The PDP urged its members and supporters to disregard the forgery allegations, assuring them that the party’s primary election guidelines remain uncompromised.
“Our party reassures all members and supporters that its primary election guidelines have not been compromised by forgery, and such reports should therefore be disregarded,” the statement concluded.
The PDP also vowed to remain resilient in the face of what it described as anti-democratic forces seeking to suppress opposition and impose a one-party regime.
“The PDP remains strong and undeterred, and will continue to firmly resist any onslaught or machination by anti-democratic forces seeking to destabilise our party, suppress opposition, undermine democracy, and impose an oppressive one-party regime against the will of the people,” the statement added.
The PDP’s dismissal of the forgery allegations highlights the party’s determination to uphold its integrity and defend Nigeria’s democracy. As the political landscape grows increasingly tense, the PDP’s call for vigilance serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding democratic principles.
