…Urges Nigerians, global community to resist political intimidation
…Declares party open to all Nigerians, promises non-discriminatory leadership
…Sowore blasts coalition, says members ‘selfish and corrupt’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what it described as a calculated deployment of “dangerous propaganda” aimed at justifying an imminent clampdown on opposition figures under the guise of national security.

This reaction follows a post on social media by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in which he alleged that opposition parties were plotting to overthrow the current government ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC and spokesperson for the opposition coalition, denounced Onanuga’s remarks as “reckless and malicious.” He warned that such inflammatory rhetoric could pave the way for the suppression of dissenting voices across the country.

Abdullahi described the allegation as “a textbook example of political dog-whistling,” crafted to criminalise legitimate political engagement and create justification for the use of state power against political opponents.

“The APC-led Federal Government appears intent on constructing a false security narrative to suppress criticism,” he said. “We are not soldiers; we are politicians. We don’t wield bullets; we work with ballots.”

The ADC questioned the ruling APC’s apparent intolerance of dissent, despite having leveraged opposition politics to ascend to power in the past. The party called on President Tinubu to rein in his aides and discourage the use of language that could heighten political tensions.

The statement further read: “The ADC condemns in the strongest terms the tweet by Onanuga accusing the opposition of plotting to topple the Tinubu administration. Such claims risk laying the groundwork for a coordinated crackdown on opposition leaders.

“We remain committed to democratic principles and to saving the nation from the failures of this administration. We are not staging a coup; we are presenting an alternative vision for Nigeria’s future, and we will allow the Nigerian people to make their choice at the ballot box.”

…ADC opens doors to Nigerians, unveils Benue State Coalition

Meanwhile, the Acting National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, has reiterated the party’s inclusive stance, declaring that it is open to all Nigerians and will not marginalise any group or individual in its mission to redefine politics and governance in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday during the formal unveiling of the ADC’s coalition in Benue State, Mark, who was represented by former Benue State governor Senator Gabriel Suswam, stressed that the party belongs to the people rather than a single political elite.

“There will be no discrimination or preferential treatment. Everyone is equal in the ADC, regardless of background. This party belongs to all Nigerians, and we are encouraging widespread consultations and the nomination of credible leaders,” Mark said.

He also announced the constitution of a seven-member interim leadership team for the party in Benue, to be chaired by former federal lawmaker Terngu Tsegba. The provisional committee is tasked with overseeing the registration of new members over the next 30 days, after which its mandate will end.

In his address, Tsegba assured party supporters of transparency in the ongoing grassroots mobilisation efforts. He pledged that the ADC in Benue would focus on delivering good governance by advocating for local government autonomy, ensuring justice, and facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

“Our administration will ensure that subventions go directly to local governments. The Bureau of Local Government will be scrapped on the very first day of our government,” he promised.

Tsegba also appealed to Benue’s youth, particularly the unemployed, to rally behind the ADC as a platform for transformation. “No one will be left behind, regardless of wealth, age, or ethnicity. This is a people-driven movement,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief David Olofu, who represents Benue South Senatorial District, announced that the zone had fully embraced the ADC and was poised to deliver the state to the party in the 2027 general elections.

…Sowore rejects coalition, slams members as lacking integrity

Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore, 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has publicly distanced himself from the newly constituted ADC-led coalition, branding it a gathering of self-serving politicians who lack any genuine commitment to public service.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Sowore criticised several coalition members for their past conduct and questioned their suitability to lead any credible political movement.

“There are far too many people in that coalition I couldn’t sit across from without being tempted to step outside my character,” Sowore said.

He accused some of the coalition’s leaders of betraying public trust and engaging in behaviour he described as “evil and unconscionable.”

“I can’t pretend these people haven’t harmed Nigerians in the past. Many of them have no conscience, no integrity, no record of good governance. They are not here to serve the public; they are here to serve themselves,” he asserted.

Sowore maintained that he would only consider joining a coalition that consists of individuals “genuinely willing to help Nigerians and save the country,” rather than those seeking a return to power through opportunistic alliances.

He concluded by stating: “You cannot redeem people whose pattern of behaviour has been consistently driven by corruption, selfishness, and disregard for the common good. That kind of politics has no future.”