by Taibat Ummi Yakubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of pressuring opposition governors into its presidential campaign structure, describing the alleged move as “political abduction” and warning that it could undermine multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.

The allegation was made by Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement issued in response to the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ologbondiyan alleged that the ruling party was exploiting its control of government institutions to pressure governors belonging to other political parties into supporting its presidential campaign or accepting positions within its campaign structure, despite their continued affiliation with opposition parties.

“What we are witnessing is not politics but political abduction,” he said, arguing that the inclusion of opposition governors in the APC’s campaign machinery raised questions about political freedom and the ability of rival parties to operate independently.

The ADC spokesman further accused the APC of pursuing a strategy to concentrate political power in the hands of one individual. He alleged that national institutions, security agencies and the judiciary were being used to weaken opposition parties and restrict their political activities.

He called on Nigerians to resist what he described as an attempt to establish a political order driven by the desire to retain power rather than address the needs of citizens.

According to Ologbondiyan, the ruling party’s political activities stood in contrast to the economic difficulties facing millions of Nigerians, including rising hardship, hunger and persistent insecurity.

“These particular sets of leaders don’t care about the current conditions of the people but how best to remain in power at a time when average Nigerians find it difficult to eat and be secure,” he said.

He also expressed concern over what he described as a shrinking democratic space, alleging that opposition figures were being harassed, dissenting voices suppressed and democratic institutions weakened for partisan interests.

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“Never in our democratic journey have we witnessed this level of intolerance and desperation. The APC government has weaponised poverty, hunger and insecurity to subjugate Nigerians and cripple the opposition,” Ologbondiyan said.

The ADC spokesman maintained that the situation ran contrary to the democratic principles championed by the late Moshood Abiola and other pro-democracy advocates who fought for political freedom and accountable government in Nigeria.

Turning to the opposition party’s own political ambitions, Ologbondiyan promoted its presidential ticket featuring former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, presenting the two politicians as experienced figures capable of addressing the country’s political and economic challenges.

He described Atiku as a committed democrat with the national reach and political capacity to unite the country and restore confidence in its democratic institutions.

“Atiku Abubakar is a democrat to the core. He has the national spread, the capacity and the will to reunite Nigeria and restore our battered democracy,” he said.

The ADC Presidential Campaign Council urged Nigerians, media organisations, civil society groups and the international community to speak out against what it characterised as an anti-democratic agenda and support efforts to preserve political pluralism as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.

The allegations form part of the growing political contest ahead of the next general election, with the ADC seeking to position itself as an opposition alternative to the APC-led government. The claims about pressure on opposition governors and the alleged use of state institutions were those of the ADC spokesman.