Mark Jacob, a former leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticised the manner of the by-elections and reruns on August 16, 2025, and compared them to a setback for Nigeria’s democratic process.
Jacob lamented that the country had reverted to “old days,” when elections were decided by the strength of the people in power and how much security agencies were under their control. He made the remarks on Monday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
He said, “We are back to the days of the stronger person in government and control of government agencies winning the election, no matter what.”
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A candidate and about 25 of her supporters were allegedly abducted during a strategy meeting in Kaduna State, according to Jacob.
“We witnessed a situation where the candidate and her main supporters, who were strategising, were prevented from participating in the election or from voting until later in the day. And because government agencies held them captive, elections were being held without the candidate’s consent, he claimed.
He added that just before the elections, PDP candidates in other states were purposefully targeted for arrest.
These actions, in his opinion, violate democratic principles.
“The electoral gains made by INEC and Nigeria have all been slowed down. We are now in a place where there was peace.
You are bound to win elections if you have political will and control over the government’s agencies. And that has no impact on the nation. No one should be hysterical when we use our power to win elections. Nobody should condone it because it is not appropriate.
He also expressed disappointment with the judiciary’s role, claiming that electoral law swore to be “a ruling party” in the courts.
He said, “It is a terrible testimony to those of us in the legal profession to declare the court the ruling party in the election.”
Given that the legislature’s ability to regulate its own internal affairs has been weakened, Jacob argued that Nigerians should not anticipate proper checks and balances from the arm.
Source: Channels TV
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