The Atiku Abubakar Media Office has accused the Bola Tinubu administration of deliberately weakening opposition parties and attempting to destabilise the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of what it described as a creeping move toward a one-party state.
In a statement issued on January 6, Paul Ibe, spokesperson to the former vice president, said Nigerians have endured “punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space” under President Tinubu over the past three years.
The statement alleged that the All Progressives Congress has survived politically “by default, not by merit,” following what it described as the systematic erosion of opposition platforms.
According to Ibe, the ADC has emerged as “the nucleus of a credible national alternative,” attracting patriotic leaders who chose “resistance over silence.”
He accused individuals aligned with the presidency of attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the ADC, particularly regarding the choice of a presidential candidate.
“The ADC is on a national rescue mission,” the statement said, adding that former vice president Atiku Abubakar remains central to the effort. It warned that any call for Atiku to “step aside” would amount to “a gift to authoritarian ambition.”
The Atiku camp said the ADC remains committed to an open and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer and rejected what it described as intimidation or sabotage by “APC proxies and external meddlers.”
The statement noted that the party is currently focused on building ward, local government, and state structures across the country, urging disruptors to allow the process to continue unhindered.
It also described the ADC as inclusive, saying it remains open to all genuine opposition figures and insisting that “no one is stepping down” ahead of the party’s internal processes.
The statement further claimed that the recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu triggered “open boasts” by a serving minister and presidential aides about plans to undermine the party.
Concluding, the Atiku Media Office said the ADC is determined to end what it described as the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy “will not be surrendered without a fight.”
The full statement is reproduced below:
PRESS RELEASE
Nigeria’s Democracy Under Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Threat
For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history—an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
True to form, this administration has not only inflicted widespread hardship but has pursued a calculated effort to eliminate political alternatives. The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state.
Perhaps the Tinubu administration’s most disturbing “achievement” has been the systematic weakening of opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress—despite its manifest failures—standing alone by default, not by merit.
Thankfully, patriotic leaders saw this danger early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the nucleus of a credible national alternative.
Predictably, agents aligned with the Presidency are now attempting to destabilize the ADC from the outside—issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate.
Let it be stated plainly: the ADC is on a national rescue mission. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside other committed patriots, is central to this effort. Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to “step aside” is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people.
The ADC has consistently affirmed its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer. APC proxies and external meddlers have no standing to intimidate, blackmail, or sabotage this democratic resolve.
At present, the ADC is focused on building strong ward, local government, and state structures nationwide. Disruptors and infiltrators must allow the party to do this essential work without interference.
The party remains open and welcoming to all genuine opposition figures. This inclusiveness—not coercion—is the soul of democracy.
When the time comes, all qualified aspirants will present themselves freely. No one is stepping down. If anyone should step aside, it is President Tinubu—whose leadership has become a national liability.
The recent public declaration of ADC membership by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in Enugu, the political heartbeat of the Southeast, triggered open boasts by a serving minister and presidential aides about plans to undermine the party. Their fear is evident.
Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC. No amount of intimidation, intrigue, or sabotage will derail this rescue mission.
Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight.
Signed:
Paul Ibe
Atiku Media Office
Abuja
January 06, 2026