The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of launching a covert campaign to weaken the emerging opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the party claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is orchestrating moves to intimidate and compromise key opposition figures, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions.
Signed by the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary and Coalition Spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the statement alleged that some former state chairmen and members of the ADC’s executive committees were recently invited to a clandestine meeting with senior government officials. The party insists the meeting was not related to security or national interest, but rather a ploy to sabotage the opposition.
“We have reliable intelligence indicating that this meeting had nothing to do with national security or peacebuilding. Its true purpose was to threaten and manipulate these individuals into participating in a sinister agenda targeted at the opposition coalition,” Abdullahi stated.
He described the alleged scheme as a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democratic foundations, warning that such tactics could erode multiparty democracy and pave the way for a de facto one-party state.
According to the ADC, the move is a direct response to its recent surge in popularity, including the Coalition Declaration on July 1 and the formal adoption of the ADC as the platform for the opposition alliance on July 2.
“These developments have clearly unsettled the APC. Instead of focusing on governance and winning back the confidence of Nigerians, the Tinubu administration appears to be falling back on old tactics of opposition suppression,” the party said.
The ADC called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act swiftly and decisively by curbing the excesses of his appointees. It urged the president to prove his democratic credentials and reminded him of the political tolerance exhibited by former President Goodluck Jonathan, which made it possible for the APC to rise to power in 2015.
“President Tinubu must remember that had the Jonathan administration chosen to stifle opposition the way his aides are now doing, he himself would not be in office today. Democracy thrives on dissent, not suppression,” the party said.
Reiterating its commitment to democratic principles, the ADC said the opposition coalition was not about any single individual or party, but a people-driven movement demanding accountability, equity, and visionary leadership.
“This is a movement for every Nigerian who is fed up with the lies, economic hardship, and abuse of power. We will not fold our arms and watch a few desperate politicians drag the country into authoritarianism. We will resist it with every legitimate tool available to us,” Abdullahi added.
The party concluded by calling on Nigerians to be alert and to defend democracy against any attempt to stifle dissent, noting that the coming election season must reflect the will of the people and not be hijacked by fear and manipulation.
The allegations come amid rising political tension and increased mobilisation among opposition groups aiming to unseat the APC in 2027.
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