“Some Tinubu Ministers Secretly Encouraging Us Not to Fail” — ADC Confirms Support from Within APC

“Some Tinubu Ministers Secretly Encouraging Us Not to Fail” — ADC Confirms Support from Within APC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that certain ministers serving under President Bola Tinubu’s administration are quietly reaching out to the opposition, urging them not to back down in the face of mounting political pressure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The revelation comes amid ongoing defections of politicians — including lawmakers and governors — from various opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking a war of words between the APC and ADC.

While the APC has attributed the defections to growing confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and his reform initiatives under the “Renewed Hope” agenda, the ADC has strongly refuted that claim, accusing the ruling party of coercion and intimidation.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Bolaji Abdullahi, the interim National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, alleged that the ruling party is using federal might to undermine opposition figures.

“We have it on good authority what they are doing to many governors — withholding their allocations, punishing them in various ways, and using intimidation tactics,” Abdullahi said. “Let me tell you that even within the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, some ministers are calling to encourage us not to fail, that we represent the only hope.”

Abdullahi, who is a former Minister of Youth and Sports, insisted that true political strength is not measured by the number of defections a party can orchestrate, but by its vision and commitment to the people.

He stressed that the ADC remains focused on building a coalition capable of challenging the APC’s dominance in 2027 and offering Nigerians a credible alternative.

The latest development adds a new layer to Nigeria’s already tense political environment, with opposition parties accusing the ruling APC of orchestrating a campaign of political intimidation designed to clear the path for Tinubu’s potential re-election bid.

Despite the challenges, the ADC says it remains undeterred, vowing to continue mobilizing support across the country and positioning itself as a viable force ahead of the next general elections.