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A member of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and their supporters over their reactions to a recent court judgment affecting the party’s political ambitions, urging them to stop what he described as unnecessary political drama and respect the rule of law.
Alawuje said Nigeria’s democracy must be guided by constitutional provisions and judicial pronouncements rather than personal interests, political sentiments or public pressure, insisting that neither political influence nor public sympathy can place anyone above the law.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding the judgment, the Tinubu campaign council member recalled previous judicial decisions that affected the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers and Zamfara states, noting that such developments did not threaten the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
He questioned why the judicial system should suddenly be portrayed as an enemy of democracy simply because its latest decision appears unfavourable to Atiku Abubakar and his political associates.
“The rule of law cannot be celebrated when it favours you and condemned when it does not. In 2019, when a court decision went in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku and his associates celebrated the outcome. Similarly, when judicial decisions affected the APC in Zamfara State, arguments were made about the survival of democracy.
“Why should the same judicial system suddenly become an enemy of democracy because the outcome is unfavourable to the ADC?” Alawuje queried.
He urged Atiku, a former Vice President of Nigeria, to demonstrate statesmanship by calling his supporters to order, encouraging them to remain calm and respect the judicial process rather than creating unrealistic political expectations.
Alawuje also challenged the opposition to distinguish between public dissatisfaction with the current administration and genuine electoral strength, arguing that political visibility, social media activities and widespread criticism of government policies do not automatically translate into votes.
According to him, the ADC’s growing political visibility should not be mistaken for widespread national acceptance, as some of the attention surrounding the party may be driven by economic challenges, public frustrations and dissatisfaction with the present administration.
While acknowledging that Nigerians have legitimate concerns over the country’s economic situation and the temporary but necessary adjustments being implemented by the government, he cautioned opposition politicians against exploiting such difficulties for political advantage.
“Let us be sincere with ourselves. Political noise is not the same as electoral strength. Public frustration with an administration does not automatically translate into votes for the opposition.
“Nigerians deserve credible alternatives, not political propaganda, emotional manipulation or the exploitation of regional and ethnic sentiments,” he stated.
The Tinubu campaign council member further challenged Atiku and other prominent ADC figures, including former lawmaker Dino Melaye and other vocal party supporters, to exercise restraint in their public statements and avoid giving party faithful assurances that may ultimately prove unrealistic.
He maintained that responsible political leadership requires honesty, even when the truth may be uncomfortable for supporters, adding that political loyalty should never become an excuse for ignoring legal realities.
Alawuje specifically advised Atiku to carefully examine the legal circumstances surrounding the ADC’s presidential candidacy and avoid creating expectations that could eventually lead to disappointment among his supporters.
He stressed that political ambition must always operate within the boundaries of the law, insisting that personal influence, political status and public sympathy cannot override constitutional provisions or established judicial decisions.
“Atiku Abubakar is a former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and should understand better than most people that no political ambition is greater than the law.
“The recent court judgment should not become a permanent political shelter or an excuse to avoid confronting the realities before the party. The responsible thing to do is to tell supporters the truth and allow the law to take its course,” he said.
He further declared that Nigeria’s democratic institutions would remain intact irrespective of the political fortunes of individuals or parties, stressing that the country is far bigger than the ambitions of its political actors.
Alawuje urged Atiku and other opposition politicians to reflect on their political journey, reassess their ambitions and recognise that political power is ultimately in God’s hands and must be pursued within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution and the democratic will of the people.
“No one can manipulate God to obtain political power. Power belongs ultimately to Almighty God, and no individual should behave as though political leadership is a personal entitlement.
“Atiku and his supporters should accept the realities of the moment, respect the rule of law and stop giving Nigerians false political hope. Nigeria is bigger than any individual, any political party and any ambition. No one is above the law,” Alawuje declared.
