Speaking during an interview with VINCENT KALU, Pearse argued that many Nigerians are already preparing to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of what he described as poor governance over the past three years.…....
According to him, the hardship in the country, rising insecurity, and increasing distrust among ethnic groups have created widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration.
Pearse explained that the PDP had earlier faced uncertainty over whether it would be able to present candidates for the 2027 election, but he said the April 30 Supreme Court judgment had restored confidence within the party.
He stated that after the judgment, the Board of Trustees assumed responsibility for managing the affairs of the party and subsequently established an interim National Working Committee to oversee preparations for the elections.
According to him, the PDP has already released its timetable, nomination procedures, and payment guidelines, insisting that the party is fully prepared for the contest ahead.
Giving his broader assessment of the 2027 election, Pearse alleged that there were deliberate efforts by the APC-led government to weaken opposition parties and stop any serious challenge against President Bola Tinubu.
Despite this, he said the PDP had managed to stabilise itself, while the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was also emerging as a political force.
He maintained that if both parties successfully participate in the election, Nigerians would witness a highly competitive race.
Pearse stressed that the low turnout recorded in 2023 would not repeat itself because many citizens now feel frustrated by the current economic and security conditions.
However, he expressed doubts about the credibility of the coming election, accusing the ruling government of allegedly influencing institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary, and security agencies.
He claimed there were fears that the election outcome might not reflect the wishes of voters.
Addressing the crisis within the PDP, Pearse insisted that the Supreme Court ruling had validated what he described as the “original PDP” led by figures such as Ahmed Makarfi, Seyi Makinde, and Taofeek Arapaja.
He dismissed claims by the faction associated with Nyesom Wike, saying it lacked legitimacy and recognition by INEC.
Pearse further argued that the suspension of key figures linked to the Wike camp meant that every action taken by them after November 1, 2025, had become invalid.
He stated that only the PDP structure recognised by the Supreme Court would eventually be acknowledged by INEC.
Reacting to reports that Senator Sandy Ono had purchased PDP presidential nomination forms, Pearse questioned which faction the forms came from, insisting that any process linked to the Wike faction would not stand because INEC would allegedly reject it.
On the state of opposition politics, Pearse maintained that the PDP remained the strongest opposition platform in Nigeria.
While he acknowledged internal crises in other parties such as the ADC and LP, he said the PDP still had functioning structures across the country and remained prepared for the election.
Speaking on the controversies surrounding the appointment of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, Pearse claimed the electoral chief had shown bias in favour of the APC and should not supervise the 2027 election.
He dismissed the investigative panel that cleared Amupitan of wrongdoing, arguing that the committee could not objectively investigate itself.
