The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has stated that members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are not prepared for the upcoming elections. Bwala attributed this lack of readiness to internal disunity and criticism among opposition figures within the party. He emphasized that the ADC lacks cohesion necessary for a competitive electoral run. His comments were made in response to recent claims about President Tinubu's governance and political strategy. No specific date was given for when the remarks were delivered. The ADC has not issued an official response to Bwala's statements.
Daniel Bwala's public dismissal of the ADC's electoral preparedness reveals more about the current administration's political calculus than it does about the opposition party's actual standing. By singling out the ADC—a minor party with limited national footprint—Bwala signals an effort to shape the narrative around political competition, framing larger opposition forces as fractured and ineffective.
The remark fits within a broader pattern of downplaying dissent by labelling it as disorganised or inconsequential. While the ADC has faced internal challenges, as many Nigerian parties do, Bwala's focus on its weaknesses deflects from deeper questions about electoral fairness and inclusivity. His position as a presidential adviser gives such statements official weight, even when they lack empirical backing.
For ordinary Nigerians, particularly voters seeking viable alternatives to dominant parties, this kind of rhetoric risks narrowing political discourse. It discourages confidence in smaller parties that could offer different visions, especially among younger voters and urban progressives who have shown interest in ADC's platform.
This episode reflects a recurring tendency in Nigerian politics: using public office to delegitimise opposition, regardless of size or influence. When advisers speak dismissively of electoral competitors, it shifts focus from policy debates to power consolidation.
