Politics
Opposition coalition not plotting to ‘overthrow’ Tinubu, ADC replies Onanuga
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, over a claim that the opposition is plotting to “overthrow” President Bola Tinubu.
In an X post on Monday, Onanuga said some critics were conspiring to bring down the “most focused, most transformative” in Nigeria’s history.
“Emir Sanusi warned Nigerians what to expect from President Tinubu’s reforms,” Onanuga wrote while quoting a video on X.
“‘It’s not going to be easy,’ he said. ‘If anybody tells you it would be easy, don’t vote for him.’
“Just two years after Tinubu began implementing the reforms, the haters of Nigeria’s progress are banding together to overthrow an administration that has been the most focused and most transformative in our history.”
Reacting to the post in a statement on Wednesday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC spokesperson, described the comment as “reckless and an attempt to create a false narrative” to justify a crack down on opposition leaders.
“This tweet by Bayo Onanuga is a textbook example of a political dog whistle. The APC-led federal government appears to be constructing a false narrative designed to justify a clampdown on dissent and to criminalise legitimate opposition under the guise of national security,” the statement reads.
The ADC said it has no interest in destabilising the country, noting that its commitment to change is anchored solely on democratic means.
“We are not soldiers, we are politicians. We don’t have bullets; we only have the ballots. When the time comes, we will present our solutions and an alternative vision for Nigeria, and allow the people to decide.”
The party accused the All Progressives Congress (APC), which once gained power through opposition politics, of being intolerant of dissent.
“It is surprising that a party that came into office as an opposition now finds it strange that others exist to play the same role,” the statement added.
The ADC asked Tinubu to rein in his aides, warning that unsubstantiated claims could stoke tension ahead of the 2027 general election.
“This manner of crying wolf where there is none does not make the president look good. It only betrays a sense of panic within the government,” Abdullahi added.
The ADC spokesperson also urged Nigerians to remain alert to alleged attempts to delegitimise alternative voices and restrict political freedoms.
Abdullahi further called on the international community, democratic governments, and rights groups to closely monitor Nigeria’s political climate and hold the federal government accountable for any suppression of civil liberties.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
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