The African Democratic Congress has accused members of the ruling All Progressives Congress of plotting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections and position President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential contender.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the plan involves pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Nafiu Bala Gombe, an expelled member, as the party’s national chairman.
The ADC said its leadership remains under former Senate President David Mark, following a meeting of its national working and executive committees in July 2025, which it said was observed by INEC officials.
The party described the alleged move as an attempt to create internal divisions and weaken what it called a viable opposition platform, especially after internal crises in the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party.
The ADC claimed the effort was being driven by a governor from the ruling party and a senior security official, though it did not name them. It warned that attempts to impose external leadership or destabilize the party would be resisted.
Responding, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga dismissed the allegations as baseless, saying the issues raised were internal party matters.
“This is an ADC party matter. Let the party resolve its internal issues,” he said, adding that INEC would address any leadership questions.
Separately, APC national publicity secretary Felix Morka said recent defections from the PDP were due to internal crises within the opposition party, not efforts by the ruling party to create a one-party state.
He said defections to the APC should be seen as an endorsement of the ruling party’s performance and dismissed concerns that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party system.
Nigeria’s political landscape has shifted since the 2023 elections, with the PDP facing internal disputes and losing influence across several states. Multiple governors have defected to the APC since 2025, strengthening the ruling party’s position nationwide.
In response, a faction of the PDP led by Kabiru Turaki rejected Morka’s claims, describing them as “delusional propaganda.” Party spokesman Ini Ememobong said the APC was using inducement and pressure to attract defections.
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa governor and senator Henry Seriake Dickson said many Nigerians are frustrated with the current situation and are seeking political change ahead of 2027.
Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of the digital membership platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Dickson described the party as an emerging alternative and called on Nigerians to support it.
Separately, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned an attack on an ADC office in Bakassi, Cross River state, where suspected political thugs disrupted a party event and destroyed property.
Obi described the incident as an attack on democracy and warned that rising political violence and weak accountability could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
The incident has raised concerns among observers about political tensions and the safety of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
