The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of launching a state-sponsored assault on opposition parties, freedom of association, and the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate in politics. In a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, the council's Director of Media and Publicity, the ADC-PCC cited several incidents, including reported attacks on ADC leaders and members in Kaduna and the alleged assault on Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, the party's Sokoto governorship candidate.
The ADC-PCC also reported the demolition of the party's governorship campaign office in Kebbi State and the denial of access to a campaign venue in Enugu State to Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate. These incidents, according to the council, point to growing political intolerance and are calculated to scare Nigerians ahead of the general elections. The council described these actions as atrocious and beyond conventional political rivalry.
The ADC-PCC warned that the alleged actions would neither weaken the opposition nor extinguish Nigerians' democratic aspirations. The council recalled the resistance that frustrated former President Olusegun Obasanjo's third-term agenda and accused the APC of attempting to deny other political parties the same democratic freedoms it enjoyed while in opposition. The council insisted that political participation and freedom of association must be guaranteed irrespective of party affiliation.
The council also raised concerns over the continued detention of Nasir El-Rufai, its National Vice Chairman and former Kaduna State governor. According to the council, El-Rufai is being unlawfully detained and denied bail. The ADC-PCC stated that the world is watching, and the burden of this illegality rests squarely on those responsible.
The ADC-PCC accused the ruling party of offering money and material benefits to compromise political actors, attempting to weaken opposition ranks through financial inducements. The council declared that President Tinubu is at liberty to corruptly buy a few consciences with money and material inducements but noted that not all Nigerians are for sale.
The incidents cited by the ADC-PCC include reported attacks on Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, and other opposition figures. The council argued that these incidents point to growing political intolerance and a state-sponsored assault on freedom of association and the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate in politics.
The ADC-PCC's allegations against the Tinubu administration have significant implications for Nigeria's democratic landscape. The council's warnings and accusations highlight the need for a peaceful and fair electoral process in 2027. The incident has sparked concerns about the level of political tolerance and the ability of opposition parties to operate freely in Nigeria.
Key points
- The ADC-PCC accused the Tinubu administration of orchestrating attacks on opposition leaders and using financial inducements to weaken opposition ranks.
- The council reported several incidents, including the demolition of party facilities and the denial of access to campaign venues.
- The ADC-PCC warned that the alleged actions would neither weaken the opposition nor extinguish Nigerians' democratic aspirations.
