Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a one-party state no matter the cost to democracy or national stability – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the recent wave of defections by opposition governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) confirms long-standing fears that President Bola Tinubu is working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the defections as acts of “political apostasy,” accusing the defecting governors of abandoning their people for selfish interests.

“The recent defections by the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) validate the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s long-standing warning that President Bola Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, no matter the cost to democracy or national stability,” Abdullahi said.

He stated that while it may appear the APC has gained more governors, the real losers are the citizens who have been “abandoned by leaders” joining the same government responsible for their suffering. “While it may seem like the APC has added more governors to its column, in reality, what has happened is these governors have actually abandoned their people to team up with the ruling party that has made life miserable for the majority,” he said.

Abdullahi added that Nigerians are living through the consequences of the APC’s failures daily, citing rising food prices, unemployment, and widespread insecurity. “Nigerians can see the current state of the nation. They live through the APC’s failures every single day. Even those who once campaigned for the APC or had its logo on their social media profiles now avoid association with the party,” he said.

He further criticised the Tinubu administration for its shortcomings, saying it has “failed on insecurity, failed on economic management, failed on healthcare, failed on social welfare, failed on corruption, and failed to restore Nigeria’s standing in the international community.”

Abdullahi accused the defecting governors of betraying their democratic responsibility, stating that rather than standing with the people and providing alternatives, they chose to join what he called a “grand conspiracy against the Nigerian people.” He said, “When the ruling party has misgoverned the country, the only hope for the people in a democracy is for the opposition to rise up in defence, propose alternative ideas, and lead the people out of their misery. This is what Nigerians expected from these governors in opposition. Instead, they abdicated. And in an act of historic political apostasy, they chose to join the grand conspiracy against the Nigerian people. They abandoned their people, not out of conviction but out of cowardice and other selfish considerations.”

Despite the defections, the ADC said it remains optimistic that Nigerians have become more politically aware and will hold their leaders accountable at the polls. Abdullahi stated that the 2027 elections will not be a contest between political parties but between the people of Nigeria and the ruling party “that has sent the majority into abject poverty.”

“While the ruling party continues to celebrate the defection of these governors, the ADC and the opposition coalition are equally delighted that the line has been made even clearer between those who are committed to saving the country and those who merely want to join the gravy train. The people can see, and they are waiting. 2027 will be a clear battle between the people of Nigeria and President Tinubu and his gang of governors in the APC,” Abdullahi concluded.

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