The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of laying the groundwork to rig the 2027 general elections through claims that he secured 10.99 million votes during the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The opposition party said the figure announced during the APC primary process was an “unbelievable concoction” that should worry Nigerians ahead of the next general election.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described Tinubu’s recent criticism of opposition parties as self-serving and insensitive.
While accepting his emergence as APC presidential candidate, Tinubu had argued that opposition leaders lacked a clear alternative vision for the country and would only take Nigeria backwards.
Reacting, the ADC said it was ironic for such remarks to come from a president whose administration, according to the party, would be remembered as one of the most difficult periods in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The party also vowed to uphold transparent and democratic principles in selecting its own presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Speaking at the ADC presidential primaries collation centre in Abuja, Chairman of the Presidential Primaries Election Committee, Ikechi Emenike, said the party was determined to restore credibility to internal democracy.
According to him, unlike what he described as imposition and predetermined outcomes in other political parties, the ADC had created a level playing field for all aspirants.
He said the party was proud to have three presidential hopefuls it considered capable of leading the country through its current challenges — Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-deen.
Meanwhile, Atiku dismissed the APC primary figures as fabricated and politically insignificant to the ADC’s chances in 2027.
After casting his vote at Hajiya Ward in Jimeta, Yola, the former vice president insisted the ADC remained focused on building a strong grassroots structure capable of winning national power.
He said the reported 10 million votes announced by the APC were “mere numbers” that did not reflect the political realities across the country.
Atiku also downplayed reports of internal disagreements within the ADC, noting that political disputes were common in democratic parties and would not weaken the party’s resolve ahead of the elections.
