- Says Change Will Come Through Ballots, Not Bullets
- Party Belongs to All Nigerians– Mark
By Peter Salami
For the second time in less than 72 hours, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of plotting a coordinated crackdown on opposition leaders by deploying a false security narrative.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the party dismissed suggestions that the emerging opposition coalition it leads is attempting to truncate democracy. Instead, it emphasized that President Tinubu would be removed through the power of the ballot—not by force.
Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, issued the rebuttal in response to a post by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, who alleged on social media that opposition parties were hatching a plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
“This government is resorting to tired scare tactics and disinformation to intimidate political opponents,” Abdullahi said. “We are not interested in bullets—we believe in ballots. When the time comes, we will present Nigerians with an alternative vision, and let them decide.”
Earlier on Monday, the ADC had claimed the federal government was making covert moves to destabilize the growing opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 elections. According to the party, some of its former state chairmen and party executives from the North East and North West were recently summoned to private meetings with top government officials.
“We have credible intelligence that these meetings are not for peacebuilding or national security, but are instead designed to coerce, intimidate, or recruit individuals into a fabricated scheme aimed at weakening the opposition,” Abdullahi alleged. “This is not politics. This is sabotage.”
Responding yesterday, Onanuga accused the ADC and other opposition groups of forming a “gang” to overthrow the Tinubu government—an allegation Abdullahi quickly described as “reckless, dangerous, and entirely without basis.”
“The ADC is fully committed to democratic principles,” Abdullahi insisted. “We are not coup plotters. We are citizens committed to peaceful political transition and the rescue of Nigeria from worsening incompetence.”
Meanwhile, the acting National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, affirmed the party’s inclusive agenda, declaring that it is open to all Nigerians regardless of status, ethnicity, or region.
Speaking in Makurdi during the formal unveiling of the party’s coalition in Benue State, Mark—represented by former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam—stressed that the ADC would not be a party of privilege or exclusion.
“There will be no discrimination or marginalization here,” he said. “This party is for the people—not for any individual or clique. All members will be treated equally. We want the people to own this party, which is why we are encouraging broad consultation and grassroots nomination of leaders.”
Mark announced the appointment of a seven-member pro tem leadership committee to steer party affairs in Benue for an initial 30-day period, beginning July 9. The committee will oversee membership registration and party organization at the grassroots level.
The pro tem committee, chaired by former House of Representatives member Terngu Tsegba, includes Mr. Samson Okwu (Security), Mr. Stephen Ayua (Publicity Secretary), Mrs. Elizabeth Alagh, Prof. Cletus Tyokyaa, Mr. Abeji Egwa, and Mr. Atoo Agber.
Speaking at the event, Tsegba pledged that the interim leadership would act with integrity and uphold the rules of the party. He laid out a bold vision for governance under an ADC-led administration.
“Our government will return displaced people to their ancestral homes and guarantee security,” he said. “We will give local governments true autonomy—no more bureaucratic bottlenecks. On day one, we will scrap the Bureau of Local Government and ensure direct subvention to LGAs.”
Tsegba also vowed to prioritize jobs for youths, equitable distribution of government appointments, and transparency in governance.
“This is a new dawn. The ADC is for every citizen—rich or poor, old or young, from any tribe or religion. Everyone is a stakeholder in our vision,” he declared.
Also speaking at the event, Chief David Olofu, representing the Benue South Senatorial District, said the entire zone had adopted the ADC as its new political home and was ready to deliver victory in 2027.
“The people of Benue South are fully behind this movement,” Olofu said. “We are prepared, organized, and determined to reclaim the future through the ballot box.”