The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, following the recent defections of the Governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the defections validated its longstanding warning about President Bola Tinubu’s alleged plan to dismantle democratic competition and consolidate power under the APC, regardless of the consequences for national stability.
“The recent defections by the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) validate the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s long-standing warning that President Bola Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, no matter the cost to democracy or national stability,” Abdullahi said.
While the APC may celebrate the high-profile defections, the ADC argued that the governors had not joined out of ideological alignment, but had instead “abandoned their people” to align with a party that had worsened the economic and social conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
The ADC described the move as a betrayal of trust and a dereliction of the governors’ democratic responsibility to offer a viable alternative to what it called a failed ruling party.
The statement accused the defecting governors of “political apostasy,” adding that their actions would not deter the opposition from mounting a robust challenge in the 2027 general elections.
“While it may seem like the APC has added more governors to its column, in reality, what has happened is these governors have actually abandoned their people to team up with the ruling party that has made life miserable for the majority,” the party said.
According to Abdullahi, the Tinubu-led administration has failed across all critical sectors, security, economy, healthcare, corruption, and foreign relations, leaving Nigerians to bear the brunt of rising hardship and dwindling hope.
“Even those who once campaigned for the APC or had its logo on their social media profiles now avoid association with the party,” he added.
Highlighting the deteriorating state of the nation, the ADC pointed to runaway food prices, unemployment, and persistent insecurity as daily reminders of APC’s governance failures.
It said the government had failed to provide social safety nets or deliver on its promises to the Nigerian people.
Abdullahi also argued that in any healthy democracy, opposition governors should serve as a counterbalance to federal misgovernance, offering alternative policies and leadership.
Instead, he said, these governors had “abdicated that role” and chosen “cowardice over conviction.
“This is what Nigerians expected from these governors in opposition. Instead, they abdicated. And in an act of historic political apostasy, they chose to join the grand conspiracy against the Nigerian people.”
The party said it was unbothered by the defections and maintained that a clear line had now been drawn between those loyal to the masses and those aligned with what it described as a “gravy train.
“While the ruling party continues to celebrate the defection of these governors, the ADC and the opposition coalition are equally delighted that the line has been made even clearer.
“The people can see, and they are waiting. 2027 will be a clear battle between the people of Nigeria and President Tinubu and his gang of governors in the APC, ” the statement read.
The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to defending democracy, offering alternative ideas, and leading Nigerians out of “a season of hardship imposed by misgovernance.”
