The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the recent defections of some state governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as proof of the ruling party’s plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the defections of the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States represent a betrayal of their people and a reinforcement of what it called a “gang-up against Nigerians.”
According to the ADC, the 2027 general elections will be a direct contest between the Nigerian people and the APC, which it accused of plunging the nation into economic hardship and insecurity.
It stated: “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.
“While it may seem like the APC has added more governors to its column, in reality, these governors have abandoned their people to team up with the ruling party that has made life miserable for the majority of Nigerians.
“Nigerians can see the current state of the nation. They live through the APC’s failures every single day. Even those who once campaigned for the APC or displayed its logo on their social media profiles now avoid association with the party.
“Why? Because the Tinubu administration has failed on insecurity, economic management, healthcare, social welfare, corruption, and in restoring Nigeria’s standing in the international community.”
The party said Nigerians continue to pay the price for the government’s failures, citing rising food prices, unemployment, and worsening insecurity.
The ADC noted that in a democracy, the opposition is the people’s last hope when the ruling party misgoverns, but lamented that the defecting governors abandoned this role.
“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 statement added.
It said the defections have further drawn the line between those committed to rescuing Nigeria and those pursuing selfish interests.
“While the ruling party celebrates the defection of these governors, the ADC and the opposition coalition are equally delighted that the line has been made even clearer between those who are committed to saving the country and those who merely want to join the gravy train. The people can see, and they are waiting,” he said.
“2027 will be a clear battle between the people of Nigeria and President Tinubu and his gang of governors in the APC.”
