In a statement Sunday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council accused President Bola Tinubu’s government of limiting opposition activity before Nigeria’s 2027 election, saying the reported incidents threatened political freedoms and citizens’ constitutional rights.
BusinessDay reported that the statement was signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, the council’s director of media and publicity. The council framed the allegations as restrictions on political organizing and Nigerians’ right to participate in public life.
The council cited reports of attacks on ADC members in Kaduna and alleged that Sokoto Marshals assaulted its Sokoto governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, on Airport Road in Sokoto. The council also cited reports that the ADC’s Kebbi State campaign office had been demolished.
The council said authorities denied Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi access to a campaign venue in Enugu State. It also cited reported attacks involving African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and other opposition figures. The council alleged that Nasir El-Rufai, its national vice chairman and a former Kaduna State governor, was being held unlawfully and denied bail.
The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of offering money and other benefits to draw political actors away from opposition parties. It said offers had reached millions of naira and declared that “not all Nigerians are for sale.” The council argued that political freedoms should apply across party lines, saying the APC had enjoyed them while in opposition.
The council cited opposition to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid as evidence that political resistance could endure. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) calendar sets the presidential election for Jan. 16, 2027. Its candidate list places ADC and NDC nominees on separate opposition tickets, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar representing the ADC and Obi the NDC.
