ADC Calls on Tinubu to Clarify “All is Fair in Politics” Remark, Protests Alleged Attacks on Opposition

ADC Calls on Tinubu to Clarify “All is Fair in Politics” Remark, Protests Alleged Attacks on Opposition

By Raphael Ekpang

Abuja (Core Reporters) — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to clarify his statement that “all is fair in politics,” saying the remark is being interpreted by members of his political party, All Progressive Congress (APC) as justification for attacks and intimidation against opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party also protested what it described as a growing pattern of attacks on opposition gatherings, party property and members, warning that political violence and intimidation could undermine the conditions required for credible elections.

National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the call on Monday in Abuja at a press conference convened to address alleged political violence, voter intimidation and what the party described as an increasingly uneven political environment.

Abdullahi said every Nigerian had the constitutional right to support a political party of choice, while every registered political party was entitled to organise meetings, campaign and conduct lawful activities without intimidation.

He urged the government to ensure that security agencies protect all political parties equally.

“The Nigerian police is not APC police; it is the police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.

According to him, the ADC had documented several incidents between July 2025 and September 2026 involving alleged attacks on opposition meetings, destruction of party property, assaults on participants and threats linked to political affiliations.

He stated that the incidents occurred across Kaduna, Kebbi, Ekiti, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Osun, Kogi and Enugu states.

Giving specific examples, Abdullahi said the ADC secretariat in Benin, Edo State, was attacked in February during a political gathering, while gunshots were reportedly fired at the residence of former governor and former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, where political leaders had gathered.

He said the Edo State Police Command confirmed the incidents and ordered an investigation, but said that there had been no arrest, prosecution or public report on the outcome of the investigation.

The ADC spokesman also cited an alleged attack three days ago in Community Ward One, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he said a party member, Kamadiyoi, was killed while preparing for a political meeting.

He further claimed that an opposition gathering in Enugu was disrupted by armed men, resulting in injuries, while attacks on ADC members in two wards in Kogi State last week left several members hospitalised.

“These incidents require proper investigation, including an examination of allegations against both private individuals and public security personnel who were complicit,” he said.

Abdullahi also criticised what he described as inflammatory statements by some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including alleged threats of physical punishment, eviction of people who refused to support the party and calls for attacks against opposition members.

He noted that Senator Francis Fadahusin was invited by the police over his statements during the Osun state governorship election, but was released after describing his comments as metaphorical.

He also pointed out that an APC woman leader called for divorce against women whose husbands did not support the ruling party.

“We are not crying. We are only serving notice. When the state refuses to protect citizens, citizens have the right to embark on self-help,” he warned.

Abdullahi, however, said the ADC does not support violence, stressing that the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, had directed its candidates and supporters to avoid divisive rhetoric.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police to publicly disclose the status of investigations into reported cases of political violence, alleging that people had been killed or injured and property destroyed without prosecution as of mid-September.

The ADC spokesman said the party maintains a central database of alleged incidents, including dates, locations, witness accounts, photographic and video evidence, medical documentation and complaints lodged with security agencies.

He said the party would pursue petitions and judicial remedies where necessary and engage the National Human Rights Commission, ECOWAS Court of Justice, African Union and civil society organisations.

Abdullahi also called on international partners and the ECOWAS delegation currently in Nigeria to assess the broader pre-election environment, rather than focusing solely on election-day activities.

He said such an assessment should include whether opposition parties could hold meetings freely, campaign without intimidation and operate in an environment where security agencies remain impartial.

The ADC also alleged that opposition parties were being denied access to advertising spaces, claiming that only ruling-party billboards were visible in Abuja and that some states were demanding as much as N200 million for billboard placements.

“The election is not free and fair if opposition parties cannot campaign freely, cannot hold meetings freely, cannot advertise our candidates. This will form the basis of whether we accept the outcome of the 2027 election,” he said.

Returning to the President’s “all is fair in politics” statement, Abdullahi urged Tinubu to clarify the context and meaning of the remark, particularly against the backdrop of the alleged attacks on opposition political activities.

“Mr President, the authority of your office confers on you the responsibility to protect every citizen regardless of whether they support you or not,” he said.

He also urged the President and the APC leadership to publicly condemn attacks against opposition parties and reaffirm the right of Nigerians to participate in political activities without intimidation.

The ADC spokesman reiterated that the party would continue to pursue its political activities peacefully and within the law, while urging all political actors to avoid rhetoric or actions capable of escalating tensions ahead of the upcoming general elections.