The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of undermining democratic freedoms through alleged intimidation, harassment and suppression of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Council also criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for defending Tinubu’s 2023 electricity campaign promise, insisting that Nigerians were yet to experience the reliable and affordable power supply the President pledged to deliver.
The ADC-PCC made the allegations in two separate statements issued on Sunday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan.
On the state of democracy, the opposition campaign council described recent incidents involving opposition politicians across the country as disturbing developments that could undermine political pluralism and citizens’ constitutional rights.
It cited reported attacks on ADC leaders and members in Kaduna, the alleged assault on its Sokoto State governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, by operatives of the Sokoto Marshals along Airport Road, Sokoto, as well as other incidents involving opposition figures.
The Council also referenced the reported demolition of its governorship campaign office in Kebbi State and the alleged denial of a campaign venue in Enugu State to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
It further cited reported attacks on the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other opposition voices, arguing that the incidents reflected growing political intolerance.
According to the ADC-PCC, the alleged attacks, arrests, harassment and denial of campaign facilities raised serious concerns about the ability of opposition parties to freely participate in the electoral process.
The Council warned that attempts to suppress opposition voices would not succeed, recalling that popular resistance had contributed to the collapse of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term agenda.
It argued that Tinubu and the APC had benefited from democratic freedoms and opposition politics when they were outside government and should therefore protect the same rights for other political parties.
The organisation also expressed concern over the continued detention of its Vice Chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that he was being unlawfully detained and denied his right to bail.
It maintained that his detention would not weaken the opposition party, adding that the international community was monitoring developments in Nigeria.
“The world is watching, and the burden of this illegality rests squarely on those responsible,” the Council stated.
The ADC-PCC further alleged that financial inducements were being used to compromise individuals and weaken opposition ranks, insisting that Nigerians would not surrender their constitutional rights for monetary benefits.
“President Tinubu is at liberty to corruptly buy a few consciences with money and material inducements. Millions of Naira are being offered to weak individuals to mortgage their rights, but not all Nigerians are for sale,” the statement declared.
The Council urged Nigerians to defend democratic values, freedom of association and their constitutional right to political choice, irrespective of party affiliation.
Reaffirming its commitment to providing an alternative political platform, the ADC-PCC insisted that its political mission would not be derailed by intimidation.
“The ADC has come to rescue this country. This too shall pass. Nigeria will endure and democracy will prevail,” it added.
On the electricity controversy, the opposition campaign council dismissed explanations by Dele Alake, spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, describing the attempt to reinterpret Tinubu’s 2023 campaign pledge as an afterthought.
It maintained that Tinubu had made an unequivocal commitment during the 2023 presidential campaign when he challenged Nigerians not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver electricity during his first tenure.
According to Ologbondiyan, the President’s promise was clear: “Don’t vote for me for second term if I fail to deliver electricity.”
The ADC-PCC insisted that Nigerians had not forgotten the pledge, arguing that political explanations and selective quotations could not erase a public commitment made during the electioneering campaign.
It alleged that rather than eliminate estimated billing, the administration had overseen increased electricity charges, leaving households struggling with the cost of power.
The Council also claimed that businesses, including hospitality establishments, had resorted to rationing electricity to reduce operating expenses, with some reportedly switching off power for guests during daytime hours.
It faulted the electricity tariff classifications under Bands A, B, C and other categories, arguing that consumers were paying more without corresponding improvements in supply.
The opposition group further pointed to persistent power outages, repeated national grid collapses and inadequate electricity supply more than three years after Tinubu made the campaign promise.
It also questioned the performance of the Presidential Metering Initiative, alleging that its implementation had fallen short of expectations while electricity distribution companies continued to issue estimated bills.
The Council said the APC’s reliance on the Electricity Act and bond programmes to defend the administration’s performance failed to address the fundamental question of whether Nigerians now enjoyed reliable and affordable electricity.
“An Act is not electricity. A bond prospectus does not power homes and factories. Nigerians cannot eat statutes. What Nigerians need is electricity that works, not another round of explanations and publicity,” it declared.
It added that rising electricity tariffs and unreliable supply had increased the financial burden on households, manufacturers and small businesses already battling high operating costs.
The ADC-PCC challenged the ruling party to address the electricity question directly rather than attempt to dilute the President’s campaign commitment.
It maintained that the January 16, 2027 presidential election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the Tinubu administration’s performance against its campaign promises and determine its political future at the polls.
