ADC Vows Tinubu Will Be Defeated Through Democratic Votes, Not a Coup – Responds to Presidency’s ‘Overthrow’ Claim

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has firmly reiterated its commitment to democratic principles, stating categorically that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be voted out of power through legitimate electoral processes—not by violence, military intervention, or any unconstitutional means.

The party made this declaration on Wednesday in response to recent claims from the Presidency alleging that a group of opposition parties is plotting to topple Tinubu’s administration. In a swift and strongly worded reaction, the ADC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the claim as both dangerous and unfounded, warning that it could serve as a pretext for a crackdown on dissent.

The controversy was ignited by a tweet from Bayo Onanuga, one of President Tinubu’s media aides. Onanuga had alleged that an opposition coalition was conspiring to orchestrate a forceful removal of the current government—a claim that has since triggered widespread reactions across the political landscape.

Responding directly to the tweet, Abdullahi condemned it in its entirety, branding it as a reckless attempt to criminalize political opposition in Nigeria. He asserted that such remarks from the Presidency not only lack credible evidence but also raise concerns about the administration’s growing intolerance toward opposing voices.

According to Abdullahi, the real intention behind Onanuga’s statement could be to justify future clampdowns on opposition leaders, critics, and dissenters under the guise of national security. He warned that such authoritarian tactics would be met with resistance from all who cherish the democratic values enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

“The African Democratic Congress completely rejects and condemns the insinuation that we or any other political group seeks to undermine democratic institutions or processes. We are not in the business of overthrowing governments—we are politicians, not insurgents,” Abdullahi emphasized.

Continuing, he clarified that the ADC remains focused on its political agenda, which includes presenting a clear policy alternative and a visionary plan for Nigeria’s future. The party, he said, believes in using the ballot box as the instrument for change, not bullets or force.

“We have no weapons—our only weapon is the ballot. We are resolute in our commitment to democracy, and we will contest and win through electoral means when the time comes,” he added.

The ADC also reassured Nigerians that it would never support or promote the disruption of democratic governance, no matter the level of dissatisfaction with the current administration’s performance. Instead, the party sees the 2027 general election as the rightful platform to unseat President Tinubu through the will of the people.

This response from the ADC highlights growing political tension and suspicion in Nigeria’s evolving democracy. It also signals that opposition parties are beginning to organize around electoral strategies, rather than revolutionary ones, in their bid to reclaim leadership from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

As Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle, observers and civil society groups have emphasized the need for political tolerance, free speech, and open competition, rather than suppressive narratives or intimidation tactics.