The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned recent claims by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, alleging that the opposition is plotting to overthrow the Federal Government before the 2027 elections.
The ADC described the statement as a calculated attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to suppress dissent and intimidate political opponents.
In a statement issued by its interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party labeled Onanuga’s tweet as “reckless” and warned that such baseless allegations could have dangerous implications for Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
According to the ADC, the comment is part of a growing pattern of authoritarian tactics designed to stifle democratic expression. “Bayo Onanuga’s tweet is a textbook example of a political dog whistle,” the statement read. “The APC-led federal government appears to be constructing a false narrative to justify a clampdown on dissent and to criminalise legitimate opposition activity under the guise of national security.”
The ADC stressed that it has no intention of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and remains fully committed to democratic processes. “We are not interested in truncating democracy,” the statement continued. “We are politicians, not soldiers. We don’t have bullets—we only have the ballots. When the time comes, we will present our solutions and alternative vision to the Nigerian people.”
The party questioned why the ruling APC, which itself rose to power as an opposition force, is now hostile to the very idea of political competition. “It is ironic that the APC, once an opposition party, now finds it strange and threatening that other parties exist to challenge its performance.”
The ADC further called on President Tinubu to rein in his aides and discourage the use of inflammatory rhetoric that could destabilize the political environment. “Crying wolf when there is none not only heats up the system but also reflects poorly on the presidency. It shows panic and a lack of confidence in democratic institutions.”
In a broader appeal, the ADC urged the international community, democratic governments, and human rights organizations to keep a close eye on Nigeria’s political climate and to hold the Tinubu administration accountable for any actions that infringe upon the political and democratic rights of citizens.
“The health of our democracy depends on a free, open, and competitive political environment,” the party concluded. “We call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant, to see through these tactics, and to defend the democratic space from encroachment.”
