The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and warned that the opposition would challenge any alleged manipulation of the 2027 presidential election through legal and international channels.
Mr Pearse made the remarks during an appearance on Voice of the People TV’s People’s Voice programme on Tuesday, where he criticised the Federal Government’s policies, questioned electoral processes and challenged the presidency to respond through legal means.
Speaking during the interview, Mr Pearse alleged that President Tinubu’s policies had worsened living conditions and governance outcomes.
«“Our president is the most criminal president we’ve ever had in the history of Nigeria. Say it, let them take me to court. I’m saying it.”»
The remarks come amid continued internal disputes within the PDP and growing political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
Election concerns
Addressing questions on how an incumbent president could be held accountable if electoral outcomes become disputed, Mr Pearse said the opposition would first exhaust institutional and judicial channels.
According to him, any allegation of election manipulation would require constitutional challenge through the courts and broader democratic pressure.
“If this election is rigged, we will challenge the results. Ultimately, when it has gone through the system, through the courts, and including international court pressure, we will get back our mandate.”
When pressed on the legal feasibility of taking action against a sitting president or pursuing international consequences, he argued that political crises sometimes move beyond conventional legal processes.
“It was not legally feasible in Venezuela when Maduro was arrested. It’s not a question of legality; it’s an extrajudicial action when things have become unbearable, intolerable.”
He maintained that electoral integrity remains central to democratic legitimacy.
“Rigging the election is compromising the interest of the people… in a democracy you win an election because people voted for you and they expected you to perform in a certain way to improve their quality of life.”
Mr Pearse also raised concerns about election administration and criticised the continued reliance on physical collation processes.
“First and foremost, the fact that immediate transfer, electronic transfer of results was not approved is questionable. It has left a loophole because when the results come from the polling units and they’re not uploaded directly to the INEC server directly, electronically, immediately, and they’re still carrying results by hand, you know that is where we have a problem.”
Economic criticism
Mr Pearse criticised the administration’s removal of fuel subsidy and linked the decision to inflationary pressure and increased economic hardship.
He argued that although subsidy reform had been discussed before the election, implementation lacked supporting economic safeguards.
“He removed it, he announced it by fiat the day he got into office. He announced it as if it was just a joke, as if it was something simple. The implication did not occur to him that this is going to damage the economy.”
Referencing international economic recommendations, he argued that subsidy removal should have been paired with broader reforms.
“IMF did not say remove subsidy period. IMF said a couple of things to improve our economy: you have to remove fuel subsidy, but simultaneously you also have to improve your revenue generation… simultaneously tackle the corruption and the waste in the oil industry.”
According to Mr Pearse, economic reforms should prioritise local production, investment expansion and improved management of national resources.
Political outlook and PDP crisis
Mr Pearse also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging institutional bias and raising concerns over the handling of internal party disputes.
He claimed court rulings relating to party recognition had not been fully reflected administratively.
“Three court judgments now… all have said that Ayu and Wike, the people, the individuals that INEC has on his portal as representing PDP, cease to represent us PDP since the 1st of November 2025… They refused, Wike and co refused, to accept that aspect of it.”
He added that legal steps would continue if compliance was not achieved.
“We believe that before the end of probably July, whether INEC likes it or not—otherwise there’ll be a bench warrant to arrest… because you cannot continue to contravene court judgment one after the other.”
On tensions within the opposition party, Mr Pearse blamed external political influence.
“PDP has been going through hell because the president’s agent, Minister Wike of the Federal Capital Territory, has vowed that he would destroy PDP.”
When asked whether describing Mr Wike as an “agent” was excessive, he maintained his position.
“He said he’s working for the president, that he’s going to make sure that the president wins election even though he claims to be a member of the PDP… he’s an agent, that’s the right word for it.”
Despite ongoing internal challenges within the PDP, Mr Pearse expressed confidence in the opposition’s ability to compete in Lagos and nationally.
He said voters were increasingly demanding political alternatives and maintained that his party remained committed to contesting future elections through democratic means.
No official response had been issued by the Presidency, INEC or the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory at the time of filing this report.
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