2027: ADC Accuses APC of Coercing Opposition Governors

The ADC accuses APC of coercing opposition governors into President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council and weakening multiparty democracy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that some opposition governors were pressured into supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Also read: Adeleke Arrives Abuja for APC Presidential Campaign Council Inauguration

The ADC Presidential Campaign Council made the allegations following the release of the APC’s expanded Presidential Campaign Council list, which included several political figures affiliated with parties other than the ruling party.

In a statement on Wednesday, the council’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused the APC of using state power to draw opposition leaders into its political structure.

“What we are witnessing is not politics but political abduction,” Ologbondiyan said.

He argued that including opposition governors in the APC campaign council without their consent would undermine democratic principles.

“You cannot claim to be a democrat while using state power to force opposition governors into your party and then drafting them into your campaign council. This is political banditry,” he stated.

Ologbondiyan claimed that some opposition governors had been listed as campaign council members despite not defecting from their respective political parties.

He also accused the APC-led government of using national institutions, security agencies and the judiciary to weaken opposition groups and consolidate its hold on power.

According to the ADC spokesman, the political climate reflects what he described as growing intolerance towards opposition parties.

“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,” he said.

The allegations have not been independently established, and the campaign council list alone does not confirm that the named politicians were coerced into participating.

The ADC also accused the Tinubu administration of placing political interests ahead of the economic and security challenges facing Nigerians.

Ologbondiyan argued that the government should focus on the difficulties confronting ordinary citizens, including the rising cost of living and insecurity, rather than efforts to strengthen its political position.

He called on Nigerians, civil society organisations and the international community to oppose what he described as attempts to undermine multiparty democracy.

The spokesman also expressed support for ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, saying they had the experience to address the country’s challenges.

The ADC’s allegations followed the publication of the APC’s expanded Presidential Campaign Council list on Tuesday.

Among those named were Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Wike was listed as campaign coordinator for Rivers State and the FCT, while Adeleke and Soludo were named coordinators for Osun and Anambra states, respectively.

Their inclusion drew attention because of their political affiliations outside the APC.

However, their appearance on the list does not, by itself, establish that they were forced to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The controversy comes as political parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ADC warning that alleged pressure on opposition figures could threaten political competition.

Also read: Adeleke Arrives Abuja for APC Presidential Campaign Council Inauguration

The APC’s expanded campaign council list and the ADC’s subsequent allegations have placed the question of opposition independence and political alliances at the centre of the emerging electoral debate.