The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims that it is plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, reaffirming its commitment to Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional order.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC’s goal is to democratically unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) through the ballot, not by undermining the government.
Abdullahi was responding to a tweet by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who alleged that opposition groups were plotting to destabilise Tinubu’s government before the 2027 general election.
Describing the accusation as baseless and dangerous, Abdullahi said:
“We are not soldiers, we are politicians. We don’t have bullets; we only have the ballots. When the time comes, we will present our solutions and alternative vision to Nigerians and let them decide.”
He expressed concern that the APC, once an opposition party itself, now appeared intolerant of dissent or alternative voices.
“It’s ironic that the APC, which once rose to power as the opposition, now finds the very existence of opposition threatening,” he said.
Abdullahi warned that inflammatory rhetoric from government officials could create unnecessary tension and urged President Tinubu to rein in his aides to avoid actions that may “heat up the polity” ahead of the 2027 elections.
He further urged Nigerians to reject any attempts to suppress dissent or delegitimise the opposition in the name of national security.
“A healthy democracy thrives on openness, freedom, and competition,” Abdullahi noted. “The ADC remains firmly committed to building a better Nigeria through peaceful and democratic means.”
The party called on all stakeholders to protect Nigeria’s democratic space and ensure that all voices — including opposition ones — are heard and respected.