The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has declared that President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election, citing intimidation, violence, and manipulation of democratic institutions. The council's Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the assertions in Abuja, warning of growing attacks on opposition members and supporters. These incidents pose a serious threat to Nigeria's democracy, Ologbondiyan said.
The ADC-PCC 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. Similar incidents have been reported in Kaduna, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto states, targeting members of ADC, NDC, and Allied Peoples Movement. The council described these incidents as an assault on democratic freedoms, amounting to state-sponsored terror against democracy.
The ADC-PCC raised concerns over the preparedness and neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that the commission's voter register database has been compromised and APC sympathisers have been deployed to sensitive positions within the electoral body. The council also alleged that security agencies are being used to harass, arrest, and intimidate opposition members across the country.
Ologbondiyan expressed concern over the alleged involvement of a serving director of a security agency in the APC Presidential Campaign Council as co-Director of National Security and Intelligence. This development is a violation of the law establishing the agency, he said. The alleged use of state institutions against political opponents reflects a government more interested in retaining power than submitting to a credible electoral contest.
The ADC-PCC maintained that the alleged manipulation of judicial processes and electoral institutions will not guarantee Tinubu's re-election. Nigerians will resist any attempt to impose a president through compromised judicial decisions or electoral fraud, the council warned. It called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and prepare to defend their votes, democratic rights, and constitutional freedoms ahead of the 2027 general election.
The council urged the international community, civil society organisations, religious leaders, and traditional institutions to pay closer attention to the deteriorating political and security environment in Nigeria. According to Ologbondiyan, Tinubu is not preparing for an election but for a coronation. The ADC-PCC insisted that intimidation, violence, and manipulation of democratic institutions cannot prevent Tinubu's exit from office.
The ADC-PCC's warnings come amid concerns over the country's democratic trajectory. The council's allegations of electoral irregularities and intimidation have sparked fears of a disputed election. As the 2027 general election approaches, Nigerians will be watching closely to see if the electoral process will be free, fair, and transparent.
Key points
- ADC party warns of election irregularities, citing intimidation, judicial manipulation
- Council urges international community to scrutinize Nigeria's electoral process
- President Tinubu's re-election prospects uncertain amid allegations of electoral manipulation
