A senior official of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, has issued a stern warning to the administration of President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that attempts to rig the 2027 elections could draw international consequences, including intervention by figures such as former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking in an interview on Arise News, Pearse said the era of unchecked electoral malpractice in Nigeria is coming to an end.
“If you rig the election the way you normally rig it before, you may have Trump coming to get you in your chambers. You may disappear overnight. Everybody has to be careful,” he stated.
Pearse dismissed concerns over the PDP’s shrinking number of governors, arguing that governorship strength does not guarantee presidential victory.
He cited the 2023 elections, noting that despite controlling many states, the APC failed to win key areas, while Peter Obi succeeded in several states without any sitting governors supporting him.
Addressing recent defections from the PDP, Pearse maintained that grassroots support remains strong.
He highlighted cases in Delta and Akwa Ibom, where former governors’ defections did not sway voters, saying, “The people remain loyal to the party rather than individual politicians.”
The PDP official also identified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s biggest challenge, accusing it of recognizing expelled members and acting in favor of the ruling party. He stressed that flawed elections now threaten Nigeria’s democratic survival and that the international community is watching closely.
“This is not the first time it’s happening. The International Criminal Court is there. Be careful what you do.
The way they rig elections in Nigeria… it’s not going to happen again. 2027 is going to be different,” he added.
Pearse concluded that the PDP remains stable and well-organized following its national convention in Ibadan in November 2025, ready to contest in the upcoming elections.
PDP’s Pearse Warns Tinubu Administration Against Election Rigging Ahead of 2027
