Presidency Clarifies Tinubu's Remarks, Rejects ADC's Criticism as Misinterpretation

The Presidency has issued a defense of President Bola Tinubu following criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concerning remarks he made about the party's recent national convention. The ADC's National Legislators Serving and Former Forum had alleged that the President's statements posed a threat to Nigeria's democratic principles.

Led by former House of Representatives member Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, the ADC forum claimed that Tinubu's administration was narrowing the political landscape. They pointed to Tinubu's past advocacy for political diversity and judicial independence, suggesting a divergence from these democratic values in his current leadership approach.

However, in a statement released on Saturday via X, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, accused the forum of deliberately distorting the President's words for political gains. Dare labelled the opposition group as "Nigeria’s latest bunch of conspiracy theorists" and a party struggling with "coherence and balance," asserting that the ADC was experiencing "internal disarray."

Dare's statement, titled “What’s That Noise! Response to Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje and the ADC Forum of National Legislators- Nigeria’s latest bunch of conspiracy theorists,” addressed the allegations directly.

Dare explained that President Tinubu did not specifically name the ADC when he used the terms "noise" and "street convention" to describe a political gathering. He argued that the ADC's interpretation of these remarks as a direct attack was unfounded.

He maintained that the President's comments were broad and aligned with his typical style of political discourse. Dare further characterized the opposition coalition as an entity hastily formed to gain relevance before the upcoming election cycle.

Additionally, Dare refuted claims that Nigeria's democracy was endangered, emphasizing that democratic institutions remain robust and fully operational. He also affirmed the judiciary's constitutional independence, urging that it not be drawn into partisan disputes and warning against actions that could erode public trust in the courts.

"Even before the official commencement of the election season and before the polls open, the “opposition”, a hurriedly stitched together contraption in search of a launch pad, are screaming blue murder. The script is familiar: attack and blackmail the President, discredit and second guess the electoral process and hold Press briefings to flaunt unsubstantiated allegations and lies against the administration. All of these so that the international community will “help” them. In Honourable Nnenna, the ADC legislators found someone fit for the role. As former chair, foreign affairs committee, 7th and 8th House of Representatives she was their best voice. Sadly, ADC will need more than the sophistry and phonetics in her delivery. Let’s begin to tear apart her claims and that of her ADC Forum. The so-called ADC National Legislators Coalition delivered an outing remarkably full of theatrics but expectedly short on substance, restraint, and constitutional fidelity."

Dare added that the forum acknowledged President Tinubu's "historic role in strengthening opposition politics, expanding democratic space, defending pluralism, and standing firm even under military and authoritarian pressures." He noted their correct assertion of his contributions to sustaining democratic governance.

"But having established those facts, they took a curious turn—attempting, without evidence, to portray the very same individual as a threat to the democratic values he has consistently upheld. That contradiction is not just weak—it is intellectually untenable. A leader’s record is not a switch that flips overnight. The same discipline, convictions, and democratic instincts that defined President Tinubu’s political journey have not suddenly evaporated."

He continued, "You cannot spend the first half of a press conference affirming a man’s lifelong commitment to democracy, and the second half alleging—without proof—that he has abandoned it. It simply does not hold. On the specific issue that triggered this reaction: the President did not mention the ADC—by name or by implication. His remarks were general, as is consistent with his style as a national leader addressing a broad audience."

Dare concluded by stating that the ADC's decision to interpret the President's remarks as being directed at them was, at best, an act of self-indictment.