Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias and overreach, alleging the agency is acting to secure President Bola Tinubu's continued hold on power beyond 2027. Speaking in a BBC interview, Atiku claimed INEC misinterpreted the law by removing African Democratic Congress (ADC) officials from its portal, despite court rulings affirming that internal party matters fall outside the commission's jurisdiction. He described the action as part of a broader effort to undermine democracy through interference in electoral and judicial processes. Atiku, who helped transition Nigeria from military rule, said his four-decade commitment to democracy compels him to resist what he sees as an emerging dictatorship.
Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House and ex-Governor of Sokoto State, echoed concerns over governance, declaring that Nigerians must rescue the country from Tinubu's "oppression," rising poverty, hunger, and insecurity. He made the remarks Saturday during a speech at ADC state congresses in Sokoto. The ADC has nominated Atiku, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Chibuike Amaechi to lead its national convention on April 14 in Abuja. Liyel Imoke chairs the 126-member Convention Planning Committee, with Tambuwal as deputy. Other members include Nasir El-Rufai, Abubakar Malami, David Mark, and Rauf Aregbesola. Atiku dismissed corruption allegations from his past, stating he was never convicted and won 11 court cases against the president. He described his political role as transitional, aimed at nurturing younger leaders.
Atiku's direct accusation that INEC is weaponised to entrench Tinubu beyond 2027 cuts to the core of Nigeria's current democratic anxiety — not just because of the claim, but because it comes from a figure with deep institutional memory of Nigeria's democratic struggles. His reference to winning 11 court cases and fighting military rule isn't mere biography; it's a positioning of himself as a guardian of democratic continuity, now sounding an alarm from within the establishment.
The inclusion of high-profile figures like Tambuwal, El-Rufai, Malami, and Kwankwaso in the ADC convention structure signals a significant realignment. This is not a fringe opposition gathering but a convergence of political heavyweights sidelined or alienated from the ruling party. The fact that INEC's removal of ADC officials from its portal occurred despite court rulings gives Atiku's claim of judicial interference a factual anchor. It reflects a broader pattern where regulatory bodies appear to act in ways that favour continuity of power, raising concerns about institutional autonomy.
For ordinary Nigerians, especially those in opposition-supporting regions, this signals that the 2027 election may be less about choice and more about resistance. Farmers, traders, and youth in the North and Southeast, already grappling with insecurity and unemployment, may see this political consolidation as their only counterweight to a government they perceive as indifferent. The ADC convention, therefore, is not just a party event — it's a rallying point for those who believe democratic space is shrinking.
This moment fits a recurring Nigerian narrative: power consolidation triggering elite counter-mobilisation. From the ABN to ACN to APC, opposition coalitions have often formed in response to perceived executive overreach. Today's ADC gathering mirrors that history, suggesting that rather than strong institutions, Nigeria continues to rely on personality-driven political realignments to check power.
