‘INEC Is A Branch Of APC’: PDP Reps Aspirant Nnamdi Iroegbu Slams Electoral Commission Over Recognition Of Wike-Led Faction’s Convention

PDP aspirant Nnamdi Iroegbu slams INEC for recognizing Nyesom Wike's factional convention, calling the electoral body an "appendage" of the APC.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 3:37 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Naija News

Allegations of Institutional Bias

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a sharp turn toward the electoral umpire. Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu, an aspirant for the House of Representatives, has publicly questioned the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During a televised interview on Tuesday, Iroegbu asserted that the commission’s recent actions regarding the PDP's leadership tussle prove it is no longer an independent body. He alleged that INEC’s decision to validate a convention organized by the Nyesom Wike-led faction—despite the party’s previous expulsion of certain members—demonstrates a clear alignment with the interests of the ruling APC.

The Legality of the Disputed Convention

At the heart of the grievance is the legitimacy of the recent PDP convention. Iroegbu argued that the event lacks any legal standing because the "foundation" upon which it was built does not exist in the eyes of the law. He pointed out that while legal disputes were ongoing in court, INEC allegedly bypassed the party’s official internal decisions to recognize the splinter group. "That convention has no legality whatsoever," Iroegbu stated, maintaining that his faction would continue to pursue "legitimacy" through the judicial system rather than accepting the commission's current stance.

A Warning of Democratic Erosion

Iroegbu’s critique carried a stern warning about the future of Nigerian democracy. He suggested that if citizens feel they can no longer receive justice from state institutions like INEC, the risk of a "revolt" increases. "What they are doing is dangerous," he cautioned, adding that systemic oppression of opposition factions could lead to a breakdown of civil order. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration among the anti-Wike camp, which includes high-ranking figures like Seyi Makinde, whose faction has similarly vowed to let the Supreme Court decide the party's fate.