ADC Alleges Tinubu's Administration Creating Intimidation Atmosphere Ahead of 2027 Election

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and violence against opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election. The council declared that President Tinubu would lose the presidential election, insisting that alleged intimidation, political violence, and manipulation of democratic institutions would not guarantee his continued stay in office. This statement was made by Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC.

The ADC-PCC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of allegedly manipulating the judiciary and deploying security agencies against opposition parties in an attempt to retain power. Ologbondiyan cited the killing of several members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Delta State, allegedly following an attack on the party's campaign venue by suspected APC thugs. He said the incident was part of a disturbing pattern of violence targeting opposition parties.

The incidents were described as an assault on democratic freedoms, with the ADC-PCC spokesman declaring that this was not politics but state-sponsored terror against democracy. The Council questioned the preparedness and neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that the commission's voter register database had been compromised and APC sympathisers had been positioned in sensitive offices within the electoral body.

The ADC-PCC further alleged that security agencies were being deployed to harass, arrest, and intimidate opposition members across the country. Ologbondiyan expressed particular concern over the alleged involvement of a serving director of a security agency in the APC Presidential Campaign Council as a co-Director of National Security and Intelligence. He argued that this was a violation of the law establishing the agency.

The alleged deployment of state institutions against political opponents showed an administration more concerned with retaining power than allowing a credible electoral contest. Ologbondiyan stated that one thing was now very clear to all Nigerians: Tinubu is not preparing for an election but for a coronation. The ADC-PCC maintained that alleged manipulation of judicial processes and electoral institutions would not guarantee President Tinubu's re-election.

The Council urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and prepare to defend their votes, democratic rights, and constitutional freedoms ahead of the 2027 general election. They also called on the international community, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and traditional institutions to pay closer attention to the deteriorating political and security situation in the country.

The ADC-PCC appealed to security agencies to remain politically neutral, stressing that their loyalty should be to the Constitution and the Nigerian people rather than any political party or individual. The Council insisted that the 2027 presidential election must reflect the genuine will of Nigerians, declaring that no amount of intimidation, violence, or alleged institutional manipulation would prevent voters from determining the country's political future.

Key points

• The ADC-PCC accused President Tinubu's administration of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and violence against opposition parties.
• The Council alleged that the ruling APC was manipulating the judiciary and deploying security agencies against opposition parties.
• The ADC-PCC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend their votes, democratic rights, and constitutional freedoms ahead of the 2027 general election.