The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating attacks on opposition figures, warning that attempts to suppress democratic freedoms ahead of the 2027 general elections would fail.
The council alleged that a coordinated pattern of intimidation, harassment and suppression of opposition voices was unfolding across the country, describing the incidents as a state-sponsored assault on democracy and Nigerians’ constitutional right to political participation.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC cited attacks on its leaders and members in Kaduna, the reported assault on its Sokoto governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, by operatives of the Sokoto Marshals, and the alleged demolition of its campaign office in Kebbi State.
It also listed the reported denial of a campaign venue in Enugu State to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as well as alleged attacks on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other opposition figures.
The council said the incidents, alongside alleged arrests, harassment and intimidation of opposition members, raised serious concerns about the state of political pluralism and democratic freedoms in the country.
It warned that no government could successfully suppress the democratic aspirations of Nigerians, recalling that popular resistance contributed to the collapse of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term agenda. It added that Tinubu and the APC had benefited from opposition politics before coming into power and should guarantee the same freedoms to other political parties.
The ADC-PCC also expressed concern over the continued detention of its Vice Chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that he was being unlawfully detained and denied bail.
“The world is watching, and the burden of this illegality rests squarely on those responsible,” the council declared, warning that El-Rufai’s detention would not weaken the party.
The campaign council further alleged that financial inducements were being deployed to compromise individuals and weaken opposition ranks, insisting that Nigerians would not surrender their constitutional rights for monetary benefits. “President Tinubu is at liberty to corruptly buy a few consciences with money and material inducements… but not all Nigerians are for sale,” it stated.
Calling on Nigerians to defend democratic values, freedom of association and political choice, the ADC-PCC reaffirmed its determination to provide an alternative political platform, declaring: “The ADC has come to rescue this country. This too shall pass. Nigeria will endure and democracy will prevail.”