The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of systematically shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space and sowing the seeds of national instability by engineering leadership crises in major opposition parties.
The coalition-backed opposition party alleged that the ruling APC is actively sabotaging opposition platforms to entrench a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the claims in a statement shared via his official X handle on Tuesday.
Abdullahi alleged that the APC is “engineering factional leadership” in other parties, specifically citing a recent crisis in the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) following their visit to the ADC.
According to him, recent developments within the PRP point to a troubling pattern.
He explained that about three weeks ago, the PRP leadership, led by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, paid a courtesy visit to the ADC leadership.
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However, shortly after the visit, rumours began to spread that a political coalition was considering the PRP as an option.
“Although this is not true, it took only that single whiff of speculation for a faction to emerge almost overnight in what had been a historically tranquil political party, challenging the leadership of Baba-Ahmed,” he said.
Abdullahi argued that the situation reflects a wider trend under the APC-led government.
“This is the reality of Nigeria’s shrinking democratic space under the APC,” he stated.
He said while the government may deny involvement in internal crises within opposition parties, the pattern is becoming increasingly clear.
“The government may continue to deny any involvement in the crises within other parties, insisting that these are merely internal failures, but the pattern is visible.
“The world can see what is happening. More importantly, they can see where this path leads,” he said.
The ADC spokesman questioned whether there were voices within the ruling party willing to caution against such actions.
“But here is the question: is there no one within the APC who can caution those engineering crises in opposition parties that they are, in fact, sowing the seeds of national instability?” he asked.
He warned that a political approach focusing on weakening all opposition platforms could backfire.
“A political strategy that is anchored on sabotaging every opposition platform is ultimately self-destructive. When people are left with no options, they are, in reality, left with no choice,” he added.
