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ADC-PCC condemns APC campaign council inauguration, describing it as a “rape of democracy” and an alleged attempt to entrench one-party rule
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Opposition council accuses ruling party of “political abduction” by allegedly pressuring opposition governors and drawing them into its campaign structure
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Ologbondiyan alleges state institutions are being deployed to weaken opposition forces as Nigerians grapple with economic hardship and insecurity
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ADC-PCC rallies support for Atiku Abubakar-Rotimi Amaechi ticket, presenting it as the alternative to APC and a pathway to restoring democratic governance
October 14, (THEWILL) – The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has described the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council as a “rape of democracy”, alleging that the ruling party is pursuing a calculated strategy to weaken political opposition and impose a one-party dictatorship on Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the allegation in a statement on Wednesday while reacting to the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
On Tuesday, the APC appointed some opposition members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his Anambra counterpart, Charles Soludo, into its presidential campaign council.
Ologbondiyan accused the ruling party of undermining Nigeria’s multiparty democracy by allegedly coercing opposition governors into its fold or incorporating them into its presidential campaign structure even when they had not formally defected from their respective political parties.
According to him, the development goes beyond the conventional political realignments and defections that traditionally precede general elections, arguing that the alleged deployment of state power to weaken rival political parties threatens competitive democracy.
“What we are witnessing is not politics but political abduction. You cannot claim to be a democrat while using state power to force opposition governors into your party and then drafting them into your campaign council. This is political banditry”, Ologbondiyan said.
ADC Alleges One-Party Agenda
Ologbondiyan alleged that the developments surrounding the APC campaign council were part of a broader attempt to concentrate political power and diminish the ability of opposition parties to operate effectively.
He further accused the ruling establishment of deploying key national institutions, including security agencies and the judiciary, to weaken opposition forces and consolidate its hold on power.
The ADC-PCC spokesman urged Nigerians to resist what he described as the emergence of an “immoral political order”, alleging that political leaders were increasingly preoccupied with retaining power while millions of Nigerians struggled with economic hardship, hunger and insecurity.
“These particular sets of leaders don’t care about the current conditions of the people but how best to remain in power at a time when average Nigerians find it difficult to eat and be secure. I appeal to Nigerians of conscience to stand up against this birth of immoral politics by those who care less about the suffering of the people”, he said.
Ologbondiyan maintained that the country’s democratic system was passing through a difficult period, alleging growing intolerance of dissent, harassment of opposition figures and weakening of institutions established to safeguard democratic competition.
“Never in our democratic journey have we witnessed this level of intolerance and desperation. The APC government has weaponised poverty, hunger and insecurity to subjugate Nigerians and cripple the opposition. This is not the democracy for which Chief M.K.O. Abiola and other martyrs paid the supreme price”, he stated.
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Atiku-Amaechi Ticket Touted As Alternative
The ADC-PCC also used the controversy to make a case for its presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Ologbondiyan maintained that the pair possessed the political and administrative experience required to address the country’s challenges, strengthen democratic institutions and rebuild national cohesion.
He particularly described Atiku as a committed democrat with the national political reach and experience to reunite the country and restore public confidence in democratic governance.
“Atiku Abubakar is a democrat to the core. He has the national spread, the capacity and the will to reunite Nigeria and restore our battered democracy, which the APC has destroyed. The fate of Nigeria’s democracy rests on him to save it from total collapse”, Ologbondiyan said.
The ADC-PCC consequently called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, the media and the international community to oppose what it characterised as attempts to undermine Nigeria’s multiparty political system.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
