The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of targeting the opposition party out of fear, as it consolidates its position as a significant political challenger.
Ladan Salihu, a chieftain of the ADC, stated that the APC’s reactions to criticism of national hardships reveal a deliberate effort to downplay widespread suffering and poverty under the Tinubu administration. He alleged that the ruling party is employing surrogates to pursue legal action aimed at de-registering the ADC, a move he framed as a response to the ADC’s growing influence.
“The fear of the African Democratic Congress is the beginning of wisdom for the APC,” Salihu said, claiming the party has mobilized resources to undermine his organization. He pointed to the recent defection of nine senators from other parties to the ADC as evidence of its expanding appeal. Salihu emphasized that the ADC maintains functional offices in all 36 states, contrasting this with parties that operate in only a fraction of the country.
The ADC’s critique centers on what it describes as the government’s refusal to acknowledge the economic challenges facing Nigerians, including endemic poverty and what it calls “selective bad governance.” Salihu suggested that the administration’s narrative—that conditions are improving—is a calculated attempt to “subsidize the truth.”
According to Salihu, the ADC is uniting disparate opposition forces to confront the APC government, which he contends has damaged Nigeria’s democratic standing abroad. The party’s legal battles and recent high-profile defections signal a deliberate strategy to position itself as a formidable alternative ahead of future elections.
The ADC’s assertions highlight the escalating political tensions in Nigeria, where opposition groups are increasingly vocal about economic distress while the ruling party defends its reforms. The confrontation over the ADC’s registration status underscores the fraught environment for political competition as the nation grapples with fiscal pressures and public discontent.
