Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has suggested that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are feeling uneasy due to his influential role in the evolving political landscape leading up to the 2027 elections.
Atiku indicated that the anxiety within the presidency has intensified because of the recent surge in support for the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the elections draw nearer.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed alarm over what he described as a systematic effort to spread disinformation aimed at undermining ADC's progress.
Atiku firmly asserted that allegations of his retirement from politics are complete fabrications, stating, “This is not sentiment. It is political reality.”
He elaborated, “This increasing unity and appeal has caused panic among anti- democratic factions who, in a desperate effort to disrupt a momentum they don't comprehend, have turned to crude propaganda.”
The former Vice President further remarked, “Those who grasp the dynamics of power recognize that what some consider 'noise' often serves as a precursor to significant movement, indicating shifts in focus, recalibrations of interests, and potential realignments.”
Atiku also claimed, “No level of disinformation will stop this movement. The resolve of Nigerians significantly outweighs the apprehensions of those who have let them down.”
He urged his supporters, members of the ADC, and all Nigerians of goodwill to completely reject this propaganda and to remain dedicated to the shared objective of revitalizing the nation.
‘Pressure on INEC to Disrupt ADC’
The ADC accused the APC-led federal administration of trying to undermine the opposition party subsequent to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso's switch to ADC.
The party alleged that the scheme involves exerting pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, to interfere with the ADC's leadership.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC mentioned that a letter dated March 28 from a group of Senior Advocates, supposedly representing a removed member of the party, is being utilized to persuade INEC to invalidate party actions and modify its structure prior to a court ruling. The ADC declared this as part of a broader plan intended to destabilize the sole viable opposition party in Nigeria and vowed to counter it by all legal means.
The party noted that there is a synchronized effort to coerce Amupitan and disrupt the leadership of ADC under David Mark.
According to the statement, “The decision made by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join our ranks has understandably caused apprehension within the ruling party.”
“Since then, high-ranking officials in the federal government have intensified their attacks on our party, aiming to dissuade other prominent individuals from joining us.”
“This conspiracy is based on a legal dispute that is now being pursued beyond judicial settings. In a letter from March 28, 2026, a cadre of Senior Advocates of Nigeria has requested INEC to enforce an unusual interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling regarding ‘status quo ante bellum’.”
Abdullahi explained that the authors of this letter have further issued threats of arrest to the INEC chairman if he does not comply with their demands within seven days.
The ADC asserted, “They intend for INEC to invalidate party meetings, dismiss recognized officials, and turn over party management to a particular individual, despite the court's pending resolution of the matter.”
“It is clear that the writers of this vexatious letter are attempting to pressure INEC to take a side in furtherance of their unfounded claims.”
The statement clarified that Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who alleges grievances regarding ADC's leadership, was never the Chairman of ADC.
“Moreover, it is crucial to note that Gombe previously resigned his position along with other members of the National Working Committee and has since been expelled from the party. As such, any effort to restore a ‘status quo’ that positions him as National Chairman of the ADC is entirely fictitious.”
“This scenario reflects a merger of legal manipulation and political motives by a ruling party threatened by the ADC's rising popularity. However, Nigerians are aware of the realities.”
Group: Plans to Eliminate Opposition and Ensure APC Dominance Will Not Be Permitted
A collective known as the Nigeria Democratic Rights Advocacy (NDRA) has cautioned the APC against undermining the nation's democracy and attempting to make its party the singular option on the ballot in 2027.
The NDRA has also raised concerns regarding an alleged scheme by the presidency to tarnish and dismiss credible leaders of the ADC.
In a recent statement, the Secretary-General of NDRA, Hon. Julius Aondowase, claimed that the ongoing legal challenges regarding the legitimacy of the Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee of ADC are being orchestrated by the APC.
The group highlighted that the ADC's increasing stature, especially in northern Nigeria, has unsettled the presidency and a prominent official from the APC administration.
NDRA's statement reported, “Our reliable sources indicate that a meeting was convened in Abuja on Monday involving senior legal experts.”
“The purpose of this gathering was to explore possible avenues to compromise the legal framework to exclude the ADC from the upcoming elections.”
Aondowase noted, “It has come to our attention that the directive to remove the ADC from the ballot in the forthcoming election was relayed to a prominent northern politician within the presidency.”
“This represents the ruling party's last-ditch effort to maintain control over all viable opposition parties before next year's elections.”
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