The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Nigerian Senate to shun partisan influence and rise to its constitutional responsibility as it begins the screening of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The opposition party said the confirmation process must mirror the aspirations of Nigerians who desire a transparent, credible, and truly independent electoral body — not another extension of the ruling party’s influence, reports Daily Independent.
The National Council of State had, yesterday, unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new INEC Chairman. President Tinubu presented Amupitan’s name to the Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as chairman from 2015 to October 2025.
Addressing journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja today, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, charged the Senate to “do its job” in the interest of democracy and national stability.
“And therefore, what we expect is that the Senate will do its job, and that the nominee, if it’s found worthy of being confirmed, would be guided by the need for democracy sustenance and to help in reducing or eliminating the concerns that Nigerians have against the INEC,” he said.
Ologunagba said Nigerians expect the Senate to approach the screening with patriotism and courage, stressing that public confidence in INEC had been badly eroded by past controversies.
“Having regards to the records of INEC in the past, we hope we can turn the corner to ensure that we have a democratic process that is free, fair, credible, and that Nigerians can believe in. So that’s our expectation. That’s setting the stage for the Senate in particular, which is the first state. And secondly, for the nominee to recognize, when it’s confirmed, if it’s found worthy by the Senate.”
He urged the upper chamber to act in the interest of Nigerians and the international democratic community watching Nigeria’s next electoral transition closely.
“We expect that the Senate will do a good job for the Nigerian people, for democracy, and indeed for the whole world. INEC has been a beneficiary of so much of the work that we have done. And we hope that we can continue to do so.”
While acknowledging the president’s constitutional prerogative to nominate an INEC chair, the PDP spokesperson emphasised that the Senate must serve as “the last line of defence for democracy.”
“I know the biggest news in town now will be the nomination of the INEC chairman, and I think it’s important that we speak to that.
“We recognise the fact that our constitution allows the president to nominate in consultation with the Council of States. With that done, we know that the constitution also provides for a role which the Senate holds on behalf of the Nigerian people. So our expectation is that as a party, the Senate will go to the next level, which is confirmation, and ensure that they do all that they have to do.”
Reaffirming the PDP’s long-standing belief in institution-building, Ologunagba stressed that strong democratic institutions matter more than individuals who occupy them.
“But what is important is what we have said over the years, and which we practice, which we established as a party, when we were in government, about the need to have strong institutions.
“When you have institutions at work, whoever emerges with the institution at any point in time will be immaterial, because the system will follow through the processes.”
He concluded with a reminder that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the credibility of INEC and the sincerity of its leadership.
“But I believe that the Senate and the nominee will recognize that INEC is critical to the sustenance of democracy in this country.”
According to him, Nigerians and the world are watching closely, adding that the era of excuses from INEC is over.
“INEC has enjoyed so much partnership from across the world and the world is watching. Nigerians are no longer going to entertain the usual excuse from INEC. The idea of inclusive elections will not be acceptable and Nigerians, and indeed the whole world is watching.”
Turning to reports of political defections, Ologunagba dismissed claims of mass exodus from the PDP, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using coercion and inducements to lure lawmakers.
“The defection that you claimed has happened or is likely to happen is not based on policy or on principle, they are induced by coercion, intimidation and harassment and that has been the policy of the APC. We have it now that there have been rumors of the fact that members of the House of Reps are being induced with a huge sum of money, that is at the House of Representatives and at the Senate to decamp.”
He maintained that defections would not determine Nigeria’s next elections, but the government’s failure to secure lives and improve citizens’ welfare would.
“But again, for emphasis the election of 2017 and many after that, it’s not going to be on the basis of decamping. What would make a difference in that election is the insecurity that is ravaging the whole country and no part is exempted. It is the fact that life has become almost brutish in this country.”
Ologunagba accused the APC-led government of disconnecting from the suffering masses.
“It is the fact that you have a government that is not responsive and responsible to the Nigerian people. It is about the government and the leaders in that government that look down on Nigerian people and said we’re too small. It is about people who would see their kids go to bed without dinner. It is about people who go to the hospital who cannot pay their bills. It is not about decamping or many people decamping.”
He said Nigerians had not “decamped from hunger” but longed to escape it — and would find refuge in the PDP.
“Nigerian people have not decamped from hunger, and they want to. And if they are going to decamp from hunger, they will be coming to PDP, which is prosperity and hope. Not just because we’re saying, it’s not sloganeering, we’re not just saying slogan. It is based on our track record of performance.”
Ologunagba described the APC’s recent unease as a reflection of PDP’s internal unity and readiness for 2027.
“This is the jittery thing from the APC. It’s based on the fact that the PDP as a party is moving towards convention in a very steady way. So they’re jittery knowing fully well that the only way they can come around and have some conversation is if they have a PDP that is not together.”
Dismissing insinuations of internal crisis, the party said, “now, too bad for them. We’re together. Are there concerns about these issues about people decamping? Of course there will be. But is that sufficient enough to derail us? The answer is no. I said yesterday, and I say it again. Because let me be clear.
“The strength of the PDP is not in the individual or group of individuals. It is based on the strength of the people who have a connection with us. I mean the People’s Democratic Party. The name is instructive. People’s Democratic Party. The other one is called All Progressives Congress. Congress takes care of their own. People take care of the people. And that is symbolic about the name. And in 2027, these APC people we see today, we shall see them no more.”
