The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly withdraw his “All Is Fair in Politics” remark. The Council warned that the statement could fuel political violence and threaten the nation’s peace and stability ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC expressed concern over the President’s silence on alleged political violence involving members of his party.
The ADC-PCC accused the Presidency of adopting a selective approach to condemning political violence by cautioning opposition parties while allegedly shielding those accused of perpetrating violence within the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Council alleged that opposition supporters had been subjected to attacks in different parts of the country, including Edo, Cross River, Gombe, Lagos, Kebbi and Kaduna. These attacks included opposition gatherings being targeted, campaign materials destroyed and innocent supporters brutalised.
The Council described President Tinubu’s remark as the language of political desperation and an open licence for thuggery, ballot snatching, intimidation and bloodshed. It challenged Tinubu to explain why his condemnation of political violence appeared to be directed at opposition parties rather than members of his own political fold. The ADC-PCC asked: “Why has Mr. President refused to condemn APC governors who openly threaten opposition supporters? Why has he remained silent over public incitement by officials of his party?”
The ADC-PCC further faulted the Presidency for what it described as diversionary tactics, alleging that it blamed victims and preached restraint to opposition parties while members of the ruling party were accused of unleashing violence. The Council maintained that the ADC remained committed to peaceful and issue-based political engagement, noting that its campaign was focused on addressing Nigeria’s challenges, including hunger, insecurity, unemployment and corruption.
The Council accused the APC of resorting to violence because it had little to offer Nigerians in terms of credible solutions to the country’s problems. The ADC-PCC alleged that Nigerians had witnessed attacks on opposition gatherings and the brutalisation of innocent supporters, allegedly by APC-sponsored thugs. The Council demanded that the President take immediate action to address these issues.
The ADC-PCC outlined three demands: the immediate and public withdrawal of Tinubu’s “All Is Fair in Politics” remark; condemnation and a call to order for APC governors and party officials accused of inciting violence; and a commitment to peaceful coexistence by condemning inflammatory statements and alleged acts of violence by some governors and chieftains of the APC.
The ADC-PCC's demands are aimed at promoting a peaceful and issue-based political engagement in Nigeria. The Council's commitment to peaceful coexistence is in line with its campaign focus on addressing the country's challenges. The President's response to these demands is expected to have a significant impact on the country's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Key points
- ADC-PCC demands withdrawal of Tinubu's remark
- Council warns against political violence
- President Tinubu's response expected to impact 2027 elections
