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The Nigeria Association of Public Opinion Research (NAFPOR) has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of seeking the removal of Dr Ngozi Olejeme from the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council because of her perceived political influence in the South-South.
The group, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Benjamin Atu, described the ADC’s criticism of Olejeme’s appointment as “crude, politically motivated and diversionary,” urging President Bola Tinubu to disregard the opposition party’s demand for her removal.
Olejeme was recently appointed South-South Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilisation in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
NAFPOR alleged that the ADC was particularly concerned about Olejeme because of her influence over politicians in the region, claiming that some ADC candidates were politically aligned with her.
“If the ADC is uncomfortable with Dr Ngozi Olejeme’s presence in the South-South campaign structure, then it should prepare for the contest. The answer to political strength is not removal; it is superior political strategy.”
The group urged Tinubu not to allow opposition pressure to determine the composition of his campaign organisation, saying Olejeme should be allowed to perform the responsibility assigned to her.
“Let ADC organise. Let the APC organise. Let Nigerians decide. But nobody should expect President Tinubu to dismantle his campaign structure because an opposition party is uncomfortable with one of its most active political mobilisers,” NAFPOR said.
The group argued that the ADC’s opposition to Olejeme’s appointment was more political than ethical, challenging the party to explain why it was demanding the removal of a campaign official whose mandate was primarily electoral mobilisation.
“If Olejeme poses no political threat to the ADC in the South-South, why is her appointment suddenly causing so much anxiety?” it asked.
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NAFPOR said the ADC should focus on building its own political structure and convincing voters rather than seeking to weaken the APC’s campaign organisation.
“The ADC should prepare to compete with Olejeme politically instead of asking President Tinubu to remove her. You cannot defeat a strong political organiser by attacking her appointment. You defeat her by building a stronger political structure and presenting a more convincing message to Nigerians,” it said.
The group also faulted the ADC’s reference to allegations of corruption against Olejeme, warning political actors against treating allegations as established facts.
“Politics must not become a courtroom where allegations are manufactured, convictions pronounced and political opponents condemned without due process,” NAFPOR said.
It argued that any allegations against Olejeme should be handled by the appropriate investigative and judicial authorities, stressing that the ADC was neither the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission nor a court of law.
“It is one thing to raise questions; it is another thing to establish guilt. The ADC cannot appropriate the powers of the EFCC, the courts and other constitutionally recognised institutions,” the group said.
NAFPOR said the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by voters, urging opposition parties to concentrate on grassroots mobilisation, policy alternatives and winning public confidence.
It warned that political attacks against individual campaign officials would not determine the outcome of the election, saying victory would depend on organisation, persuasion and the ability of political parties to connect with voters.
