The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has accused President Bola Tinubu of allegedly orchestrating the creation of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abdullahi made the allegation while reacting to the defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the ADC-led coalition to the newly formed NDC, describing their exit as a major setback but not fatal to the opposition’s chances.
He claimed the development had inadvertently strengthened the ruling All Progressives Congress, noting that the emergence of multiple opposition platforms could split votes and boost Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Anyone undermining the capacity of the opposition to present a united front is working for President Tinubu,” Abdullahi said. “What they have done is to hand him a lifeline by turning what should have been a two-horse race into a three-horse contest.”
The ADC spokesman further alleged that the NDC was designed as a “one-man party” to guarantee automatic tickets for defectors, accusing Obi and Kwankwaso of political desperation.
He said, “They were looking for a platform that would hand them tickets without due process. That is not what ADC stands for. We are building a democratic coalition, not a party where candidacy is predetermined.”
Abdullahi also dismissed claims that internal crises and legal battles forced the defections, insisting that the party remained stable following a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the leadership of former Senate President David Mark.
According to him, the judgment removed earlier constraints that limited the party’s operations, enabling it to resume full political activities, including the release of its primary election timetable.
On the implications of the defections, Abdullahi admitted the situation posed a challenge but expressed confidence that the ADC would recover and remain competitive.
He said many supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso were unwilling to follow them to the NDC, stressing that the party’s strength lay in its ideological commitment to what he described as “people-centred politics.”
Addressing the broader opposition strategy, Abdullahi acknowledged that a fragmented front could complicate efforts to unseat the incumbent but maintained that victory was still achievable.
“It was difficult even as a united coalition, but now it is more complicated. However, it is not impossible. Our objective remains to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative,” he said.
He added that the ADC remained open to future alliances, including possible collaboration with former coalition partners, provided there was mutual commitment to democratic principles.
The spokesman also criticised the current administration, describing its performance as underwhelming and accusing it of worsening economic hardship in the country.
While declining to label Tinubu’s government a total failure, Abdullahi said he struggled to identify any sector where the administration had recorded significant success.
He further took a swipe at the National Assembly leadership under Senate President Godswill Akpabio, alleging a lack of independence and effective oversight of the executive arm.
On electoral reforms, Abdullahi warned that existing provisions in the Electoral Act contained loopholes that could undermine the credibility of future elections, calling for urgent amendments..
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