The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been accused by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of defaming the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, in whose honor Nigerians observe June 12 as Democracy Day.

According to the party, it is repugnant, unpleasant, and intolerable for the country to celebrate Democracy Day in a regime that openly rigged the general elections in 2023, violating every principle of democracy.

This was said in a statement made to commemorate Democracy Day on Monday and signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s national publicity secretary.

Ologunagba said, “The barefaced manipulations of the 2023 general elections by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amounts to an unpardonable assault and rape of democracy and disregard for the will of the people; the very ills which Chief MKO Abiola fought and died for.

“June 12 epitomizes the struggle by Nigerians against corrupt, manipulative and anti-democratic systems; against injustice, impunity and electoral fraud which INEC, under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu now represents.

“It is indeed heartrending that all the steady progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in reforming our electoral system have been completely wiped off by INEC in the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

“Our Party however urges Nigerians not to despair but remain optimistic and law-abiding in their hope for a better nation which they earnestly yearn for.

“The PDP charges all the leaders at all levels across the country to be guided by the essence of June 12 by always adhering to the principles of democracy in the overall interest of the Nigerians people.”