The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of laying the groundwork for a systematic clampdown on opposition leaders under the guise of national security.
This comes after a tweet by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, in which he alleged that the opposition was planning to overthrow the government before the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, interim national publicity secretary of the ADC and spokesperson for the opposition coalition, the party described Onanuga’s comment as “reckless, malicious and dangerous,” warning that it could signal a broader campaign of intimidation against dissenting voices.
Abdullahi said: “Bayo Onanuga’s tweet is a textbook example of a political dog whistle.
“The APC-led federal government appears to be constructing a false narrative that is designed to justify potential clampdown on dissent, and to criminalise legitimate opposition activity under the guise of national security.”
The party said it remains committed to democratic principles and is focused solely on presenting alternative solutions to the Nigerian people.
“We are not soldiers, we are politicians. We don’t have bullets; we only have the ballots,” the statement added.
It questioned why the APC, which once thrived as an opposition party, is now allegedly intolerant of opposition.
The ADC called on President Tinubu to rein in his aides and stop the spread of “baseless but dangerous allegations” that could inflame the political atmosphere.
“This manner of crying wolf where there is none does not make the president look good and only betrays a sense of panic,” it said.
The party also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject attempts to delegitimise opposition voices.
It further called on the international community, including democratic governments, observers and human rights organisations, to closely monitor the political environment in Nigeria and hold the Tinubu administration accountable for any actions that threaten democratic freedoms.
“The ADC remains committed to building a better Nigeria, through peace, participation, and the power of the people,” it added.
