By Tony Chuddy 

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has warned that all opposition  political party will remain firm an resist alleged attempts by president Bola Tinubu and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to intimidate and frustrate them ahead of the 2027 general election

This is as the ADC has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election despite what it described as growing intimidation, political violence and manipulation of democratic institutions by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC Presidential Campaign Council in a statement issued on Sunday by it’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiya, accused the APC-led Federal Government of deploying security agencies against opposition parties and manipulating the judiciary and electoral institutions to secure Tinubu’s re-election.

The Council warned that the alleged attacks on opposition members and supporters across the country posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Ologbondiyan, who cited the recent killing and attack on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State,  said the incident was part of a disturbing pattern of political violence against opposition parties, particularly the ADC, NDC and Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in Kaduna, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Describing the alleged attacks as an assault on democratic freedoms, Ologbondiyan declared: “This is not politics. This is state-sponsored terror against democracy.”

The ADC-PCC also questioned the neutrality and preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging that its voter register database had been compromised and APC sympathisers deployed to sensitive positions within the commission.

He said, “One thing is now very clear to all Nigerians: Tinubu is not preparing for an election. He is preparing for a coronation.”

The Council said that alleged judicial manipulation and electoral interference would not guarantee Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that Nigerians would resist any attempt to impose a president through compromised court decisions or electoral fraud.

It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend their votes, democratic rights and constitutional freedoms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It appealed to security agencies to remain politically neutral, stressing that their loyalty should be to the Constitution and the Nigerian people rather than any political party or an individual.

“Those who allow themselves to be used as tools of oppression today will answer for their actions tomorrow,” Ologbondiyan warned.

The Council insisted that the 2027 presidential election must reflect the genuine wishes of Nigerians, declaring that no amount of intimidation, violence or institutional manipulation would stop voters from determining the country’s political future.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that though  the opposition Africa Democraric Congress (ADC) will be on ballot during the 2027 general election, it’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubarkar and other candidates that emerged from the David Mark led faction of the party may not be

The minister stated this in a post on X on Sunday while reacting to concerns that the Federal High Court judgment could prevent the ADC from participating in the elections.

“For the education of the public, those raising false alarm that the court judgment on ADC means the Party will not be on the ballot are spreading misinformation,” he wrote.

“The ADC will be on the ballot. It is the David Mark faction of candidates, including Atiku Abubakar, that may not be on the ballot, depending on the final judgment of the Supreme Court.”

Recall that the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on Thursday, nullified the Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken by the faction, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election. The party has vowed to appeal the judgment.

Keyamo, who questioned why some Nigerians were protesting the ruling, argued that the court’s decision should not be interpreted as denying the ADC’s original members the opportunity to contest elections.

He challenged those criticising the judgment to consider the rights of candidates who emerged from the party’s original leadership structure.

“Therefore, the question we must ask those raising hell is that, are those Nigerians who successfully won their primaries under the faction of the original owners of the ADC lesser humans or lesser Nigerians than David Mark and Atiku Abubakar?” he asked.

As the 2027 general elections draw near, Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Ifeanyi Akunna, has advised Nigerians to make informed choices on the leaders to elect, saying the decisions they make would shape the future of the country.

The Bishop in a statement issued from the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ogoja, Cross River State on Sunday emphasised on the need for voter to protect their votes and avoid selling to the highest bidder 

He said, “As another election approaches, Nigerians must beware of politicians who suddenly remember the poor and the grassroots only during election campaigns. 

“They come with bags of rice, food items, welfare packages and envelopes containing ₦5,000 or more, pretending to love the people,” he noted.

Bishop  Akunna emphasised that “True love for the people is demonstrated through good governance, not seasonal generosity. After winning elections, many disappear, abandoning the same people whose votes brought them to power. They only return four years later with bags of rice and envelopes stuffed with money.

“Nigerians, please be wiser! Do not trade your future and that of your children for temporary gratification. A bag of rice cannot guarantee four years of security, quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities, economic development, constant electricity and good governance

“The Bible declares in Proverbs 29: 2, that ‘when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. In Exodus 18: 21 the Scripture teaches us to choose capable leaders who fear God, love truth and hate dishonest gain,” observed the Bishop.”

Quoting from Proverbs 14: 34, the Diocesan reminded that “Righteousness exalted a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” stressing, “as we approach the forthcoming elections, let us prayerfully and intentionally examine the character, competence, integrity and track records of those seeking political offices.”

He noted that Nigeria deserves leaders who will serve the people throughout their tenure, “not politicians who remember the people only during campaigns.”

Bishop Akunna cautioned, “Good governance is your right, not a favour. Your vote is your voice. Use it wisely,” even as he prayed God to “grant Nigerians the wisdom to make righteous choices and raise leaders after His own heart.”