A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima has accused President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC, of compromising other political parties.

Galadima claimed that the Tinubu wants the opposition to align with his agenda so that there would no candidate to challenge him in 2027.

The NNPP chieftain spoke during an interview on News Night, an Arise Television programme.

Galadima said: “We know as of today that this government in APC are sending emissaries to compromise leaders of political parties, offering tens of billions to leaders of the parties.

“They are promising all political parties to align with the agenda of the present government so that in 2027, there will be no candidate.”

He urged Nigerians to ensure the integrity of elections.

“I’m extremely happy that, through the ballot box, Africans can change the government. All of us must stand up to ensure that what happens in our country, and that is not for politicians alone,” he added.

This is coming after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Northern political leaders against running for President in 2027.

Akume had said Atiku and the North should allow Tinubu rule Nigeria beyond 2027.

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, on Monday, said he had filed a petition at the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal against the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

This development came 24 days after the governorship poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Governor Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress winner of the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi scored a total vote of 117,845.

Speaking with journalists at the PDP Secretariat, Akure, the state capital, Ajayi disclosed that his legal team had filed the petition at the election tribunal with the hope of getting justice from the court.

He, however, declined to mention the grounds of his petition.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election, the PDP candidate described the result of the election as a miscarriage and murder of democracy.

He said, “First and foremost, we thank Almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election in Ondo State. Since the election, our party has refrained from making public comments to allow time for a comprehensive review of the events that transpired on election day. After careful analysis, we have come to express our gratitude to the people of Ondo State for their confidence in us and the maturity they displayed during the elections despite provocations.

“We want to address certain misconceptions and allegations made against the electorate. There were accusations that our people sold their votes or were compromised. Let it be clear that the will of the people was not for sale. The sadness and disappointment witnessed after the election reflect their discontent with the outcome, which, we believe, was a miscarriage of democracy orchestrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“Despite our previous warnings and even legal action to ensure neutrality within INEC, the institution, unfortunately, failed to act impartially. The election results, as declared, do not reflect the aspirations of the people of Ondo State. The declaration of Governor Aiyedatiwa as the winner by INEC was met with widespread dissatisfaction, as evident in the sober mood that followed.

“Our party has taken the lawful step of filing a petition at the electoral tribunal. While we will refrain from discussing the case in detail, I assure you that we remain committed to pursuing justice. Our people are educated, resilient, and determined to see democracy upheld.”

To this end, the PDP candidate called on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to ensure a transparent and tamper-proof electoral process, complaining that the use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, as currently implemented, has been allegedly being exploited for manipulation.

Ajayi, who is a former deputy governor of the state, however, expressed confidence in getting justice at the election petition tribunal.

“Despite concerns about the judiciary’s integrity, we maintain confidence in its ability to deliver justice. We are optimistic that the tribunal will fairly adjudicate our case. The judiciary remains a critical institution in preserving democracy, and we urge it to rise to this challenge.

“Ondo State deserves leaders chosen freely and fairly by the people. We are determined to restore the integrity of our democracy and ensure the people’s mandate is upheld,” he stated.

The PUNCH reports that the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, had dismissed the suit filed by Ajayi challenging the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The presiding Judge, Justice Toyin Adegoke, held that the candidate of the PDP, who challenged the qualification of the APC’s candidates, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Olaiyide Adelami lacked locus standi to file the suit.

The judge also held that the case filed by Ajayi and the PDP was barred by statute having filed it outside the 14 days required by the Electoral Act. Besides, Justice Adegoke held that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, having filed it through originating summons instead of a Writ of Summons.

The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed confidence that opposition forces will oust the All Progressives Congress in Nigeria’s 2027 elections, drawing inspiration from the recent victory of Ghana’s National Democratic Congress in the country’s presidential polls.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Monday, called Ghana’s opposition NDC victory a clear example of the people’s power prevailing over misrule.

On Sunday, Ghana’s former President, John Mahama, was declared the winner of the country’s presidential election after his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, admitted defeat.

Ologunagba said, “The Peoples Democratic Party congratulates the people of Ghana for their resilience in defending democracy and ensuring that their Will prevailed in the Saturday, December 7, 2024 Presidential election which returned the National Democratic Congress and President John Mahama to power.

“The verdict of the people of Ghana in this Presidential election is a signal to the APC that its days in office are numbered as the power of the people in Nigeria, just like in Ghana, will surely prevail, end APC’s oppressive rule and return Nigeria to the path of good governance, security, political stability and economic prosperity on the platform of the PDP in 2027.”

He accused the APC of presiding over years of economic decline, insecurity, and hardship, citing a spike in inflation, the devaluation of the naira, and soaring unemployment rates.

The statement read, “Major multinationals are now leaving our country in droves and life has become so unbearable that our citizens, particularly the youths are now resorting to suicide or slavery mission abroad as alternative because of the monumental misrule and insensitivity of the APC.

“Nigerians now recall with nostalgia and earnestly seek a return of the golden years of the PDP in government as their only hope for survival and triumph of their dreams, aspiration and collective Will as a people.

“The PDP therefore calls on all institutions of government especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to note the yearning of Nigerians and ensure that all processes are put in place to guarantee that only the Will of the people prevail in elections.

“INEC must note that Nigerians are not ready to accept a repeat of the massive manipulation and perversion of the electoral process as witnessed in the 2019 and 2023 Presidential elections in our country.”