The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected recent overtures from the All Progressives Congress (APC) suggesting that “key ADC figures” will defect to the ruling party, stating emphatically that defections alone will not save the APC in the 2027 general election.
Responding to comments from APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, the ADC said the influx of new members reflects the ruling party’s deepening unpopularity among ordinary Nigerians.
The party also called for urgent amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, pointing to concerns over the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the process for appointing justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani declared at a weekend rally that APC now controls roughly 95 percent of the state after the defection of four state assembly lawmakers and five members of the House of Representatives.
This figure was raised as part of efforts to portray the APC as the dominant force in the state.
But the ADC said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, that the wave of defections only underscores how much the APC fears defeat.
“The truth remains that the APC realizes that it has become the most hated party in Nigeria, and no amount of defections can save the party from Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods the ruling party has destroyed since it came to power,” the statement read.
At a briefing in Lagos, led by Lagos State ADC Chairman Ugochukwu Anaere, the party further alleged that its members have faced threats and attacks, particularly during the 2023 elections, and expressed fear these could be repeated ahead of 2027.
They specifically condemned comments by Mustapha Adekunle (Sego), Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Lagos Chapter, describing his threats as “careless, barbaric, uncivilised, provocative and dreadful.”
They called on relevant authorities to ensure the safety of their members and the security of ballots in upcoming elections.
