Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over the European Union’s (EU) decision to withdraw from observing Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, describing the move as a troubling indication of declining confidence in the country’s electoral process.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the opposition party said the EU’s decision reinforces concerns already being expressed by both domestic and international stakeholders about the conduct of the forthcoming elections.
According to the PDP, the EU attributed its decision to “worsening insecurity and hostile treatment” experienced after its 2023 Election Observation Mission.
The party noted that the development would mark the first general election since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 that the European Union would not deploy an election observation mission.
The PDP alleged that since the 2023 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had taken steps that could undermine confidence in the 2027 electoral process.
It accused the ruling party of deploying various tactics aimed at weakening the opposition, including alleged interference in opposition political parties, inducement and pressure on opposition governors and lawmakers, intimidation of opposition leaders, and the use of inflammatory political rhetoric.
The statement specifically referenced President Bola Tinubu’s previous remarks urging supporters to “snatch it, take it and run with it”, arguing that such comments, alongside the belief that “all is fair in politics,” have contributed to concerns over the country’s democratic environment.
The opposition party further argued that the EU’s withdrawal represents “one of the many votes of no confidence by strategic stakeholders in election management under this APC-led administration.”
It added that confidence in elections is essential to democratic legitimacy.
> “When confidence in the electoral process erodes, so does the credibility of elections and, ultimately, democracy itself.”
The PDP maintained that elections should reflect the genuine will of the electorate through a free and fair voting process.
It also alleged that any attempt by the ruling party to retain power through means other than the people’s mandate would be inconsistent with democratic principles and should be opposed.
Reaffirming its position ahead of the 2027 elections, the party pledged to collaborate with other opposition parties, civil society organisations and Nigerians to advocate for what it described as a transparent and accountable electoral process.
> “We will work in concert with other opposition political parties, civil society organisations and Nigerians to demand transparency, accountability and sincerity in the entire election process. This is the irreducible minimum.”
