The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has raised serious concerns over what he described as a coordinated effort by the ruling party to systematically weaken opposition platforms across Nigeria, warning that the trend threatens the country’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Monday, Abdullahi alleged that the ongoing leadership crisis in the ADC is part of a broader political strategy targeting multiple opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
“All these things you are seeing are meant to achieve a particular end, which is to ensure that by 2027 there will be only one candidate on the ballot. That is the direction things are going if Nigerians do not pay attention. You can see what is happening across parties, how structures are being destabilised and weakened systematically. This is not accidental; it is coordinated, and it is dangerous for the future of democracy in Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.
He emphasised that the crisis within the ADC, including the controversy surrounding factional leader Nafiu Bala, is merely a symptom of a wider plan to truncate rising opposition movements and suppress the voice of ordinary Nigerians.
According to Abdullahi, the government’s actions are driven by insecurity over the growing relevance of parties like ADC as platforms for the common man.
“We know they don’t have anything to present to Nigerians. We know Nigerians have rejected them, and that is why they are doing all this. Why would they destroy PDP, destroy Labour Party, destroy SDP, destroy NNPP? Now they see that ADC, the only last hope of common man in Nigeria, is rising. Now they want to truncate it. But it will not happen. Nigeria is bigger than any individual, no matter how powerful he thinks he is”, he warned.
The ADC crisis, Abdullahi explained, began in earnest following the high-profile defection of former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Kwankwaso, to the party, a move that immediately raised its national profile and attracted significant political attention. He said the party’s sudden rise and Kwankwaso’s influence appeared to trigger calculated interference from rival interests, leading to the current leadership tussle.
“When Kwankwaso joined ADC, it sent shockwaves across the political landscape because suddenly we became a party that could challenge entrenched powers. That’s when the plots to destabilise us intensified. The crisis didn’t start because of internal disagreement—it started because the moment we became a real force, some people wanted to neutralise us,” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi further highlighted the growing support for the ADC, insisting that the party is becoming a major political force in Nigeria despite attempts to destabilise it. He revealed that over a million Nigerians have formally registered as members of the party, a figure he said reflects the public’s desire for a credible alternative to the ruling party and other established opposition platforms.
“More than a million Nigerians have chosen ADC as their political home, and these are citizens who are tired of the status quo and are seeking real change. This shows that our message is resonating with the people, and no amount of interference or intimidation can stop the rise of a party committed to serving Nigerians rather than enriching political elites,” he said.
Government’s Handling of National Crises Criticised
Abdullahi also criticised what he described as the government’s “misplaced priorities” in dealing with national crises, citing recent violence in Benue and Kaduna as examples of failures in leadership and governance.
“Did you see the killings in Benue? Did you see the killings in Kaduna yesterday? People are celebrating Easter, and our president went to Jos and stopped at the airport and was blaming them for not having electricity, and they had only 10 minutes to spend with them at the airport, and he left for Abeokuta to go and enjoy himself. Is that the kind of thing we want to continue? We know they don’t have anything to present to Nigerians,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that the combination of poor governance and interference in opposition parties demonstrates a systemic attempt to consolidate political power, rather than addressing the real needs of Nigerians.
Judiciary: Still a Beacon of Hope
Meanwhile, Abdullahi acknowledged public scepticism about the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary but affirmed confidence in certain courts that uphold democratic principles.
“You see, we like to talk about judiciary as compromised, judiciary as corrupt, and all that. But you see, there are still courts in Nigeria that know that they have a duty to democracy and to Nigeria. We have confidence in our courts. We believe in our courts. We believe that Nigerian judges are also Nigerians. They can see what is going on,” he said.
He described the courts as critical players in protecting the integrity of political processes, warning that external interference in party politics cannot go unchecked.
Call for National Awareness and Opposition Unity
Abdullahi concluded by appealing to Nigerians to remain vigilant and to support the development of credible opposition parties as essential checks on government power. He reiterated that the ADC would continue to operate as a platform for democratic participation and public accountability, regardless of the political pressure exerted by the ruling establishment.
“This is not about ADC alone; this is about Nigeria’s democracy itself. The future of multiparty democracy depends on strong and credible opposition platforms. We will continue to organise, to engage, and to ensure that the voices of Nigerians are not silenced. We are not intimidated, we are not discouraged, and we will continue to participate fully in the democratic process,” he said.
