The Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, has accused opposition figures of orchestrating smear campaigns against Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said recent criticisms targeting the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, were politically motivated and aimed at eroding public trust in the electoral process.
Speaking on the development, the commissioner alleged that elements within the opposition had resorted to discrediting tactics, having, in his view, already resigned themselves to defeat ahead of the next presidential poll.
He argued that the attacks on the electoral umpire were not driven by genuine concerns but were part of what he described as “politics of discredit” by individuals unwilling to accept prevailing political realities.
Ajulo maintained that the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains intact, stressing that attempts to undermine the credibility of INEC and its leadership would not alter the political landscape.
He urged Nigerians to reflect on the country’s political trajectory, noting that the ruling All Progressives Congress had evolved from a modest base to a dominant force controlling the majority of states.
Drawing comparisons with past political alignments, he recalled a period when the defunct Alliance for Democracy held limited influence, while the Peoples Democratic Party dominated the political scene.
The attorney-general also dismissed claims of coercion within the ruling party, insisting that defections into the APC were voluntary and driven by confidence in the current administration.
He warned that sustained efforts to discredit democratic institutions could have far-reaching implications, urging political actors to place national stability above partisan considerations.
