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The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has called on Nigerians to resist what it described as an attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.
The council made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, following the APC’s expansion of its presidential campaign council to include officials from opposition parties.
Ologbondiyan alleged that the ruling party was seeking to consolidate its political influence by assigning campaign responsibilities to opposition governors without requiring them to formally defect to the APC.
He argued that the development raised concerns about political independence, democratic competition and the future of opposition parties in Nigeria.
The ADC-PCC spokesperson further accused the APC of pursuing an agenda that could concentrate political power in the hands of one individual. He also alleged that national institutions, security agencies and the judiciary were being used to weaken opposition forces.
Ologbondiyan urged Nigerians to reject what he characterised as an unacceptable political arrangement, insisting that the government should focus more on citizens’ welfare than on retaining power.
He cited hunger, economic hardship and insecurity as major challenges facing the country, arguing that political leaders should prioritise addressing these problems rather than concentrating on electoral calculations.
According to him, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities and protect themselves from insecurity while political leaders remain focused on maintaining their positions.
The ADC-PCC spokesperson also raised concerns about what he described as the suppression of dissenting voices, harassment of opposition figures and the alleged use of public institutions for partisan purposes.
He said the situation contradicted the democratic ideals associated with Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and other Nigerians who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for democratic governance.
Despite his criticism of the ruling party, Ologbondiyan expressed confidence in the ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.
He described the pair as experienced politicians who, in his view, could strengthen democratic institutions, promote national unity and restore public confidence in governance.
Ologbondiyan also said Atiku’s political experience and nationwide reach could help address Nigeria’s challenges and bring citizens together.
The ADC-PCC called on Nigerians, media organisations, civil society groups and the international community to oppose what it described as the APC’s anti-democratic agenda and support efforts to preserve multiparty democracy.
The criticism followed the APC’s announcement on Tuesday of an expanded presidential campaign council for the 2027 general election. The revised list included Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Under the announced arrangements, Wike was assigned to coordinate the APC’s presidential campaign activities in Rivers State and the FCT, while Soludo and Adeleke were named coordinators for Anambra and Osun states, respectively.
Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was also named deputy national coordinator for stakeholders’ mobilisation in the South-West.
