The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have commenced “underhand rigging” ahead of 2023.

In a statement on Sunday, National Chairman, Uche Secondus said every indication point to the “unfortunate fact” that President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC are not working towards conducting free and fair elections.

The opposition leader reacted to the report that INEC is halting its procurement of E-voting machines because the National Assembly turned down the e-mode of transmission of results.

Secondus noted that since the existing Electoral Act and the Constitution gives powers to INEC to conduct elections, it does not need the legislature to do its legitimate duties.

The PDP chairman accused INEC of trying to abdicate its responsibility by hiding under the cover of the delayed amended Electoral Act or rejection of e-transmission of results.

“Nigerians and democratic observers globally are watching INEC ahead of 2023. It will be disastrous if the Independent electoral body dances to the antics of the ruling party.”

Secondus vowed that the PDP would do everything legal to ensure that the will of the people of Nigeria “is not thwarted again”.

He charged all lovers of democracy within and outside the country to speak out against those trying to undermine credible polls.