A fresh political confrontation has emerged between members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators Forum and the Presidency, following strong remarks by the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
In a detailed response to statements credited to the ADC lawmakers and former House of Representatives member Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, Dare dismissed their claims as “theatrics” lacking substance, accusing the opposition bloc of peddling conspiracy theories and attempting to discredit Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the election season.
The ADC legislators had earlier raised concerns about the state of democracy, alleging potential interference in the electoral and judicial processes. However, the Presidency rejected these claims, describing them as speculative and unsupported by evidence.
Dare argued that the opposition’s narrative followed a “familiar script” of attacking the President, undermining the electoral process, and seeking to attract international sympathy through what he termed unsubstantiated allegations.
He further criticized what he described as contradictions within the ADC’s position, noting that the same group acknowledged President Tinubu’s longstanding democratic credentials before accusing him of undermining those very principles.
According to the presidential aide, such claims are “intellectually untenable,” insisting that the President’s record as a pro-democracy figure remains consistent and cannot be dismissed without credible proof.
On the issue of alleged judicial interference, Dare maintained that Nigeria’s judiciary remains constitutionally independent and warned that attempts to cast doubt on its integrity without evidence could weaken democratic institutions.
He also dismissed attempts to link the President’s Chief of Staff to the allegations, stating that isolated remarks taken out of context cannot be used to suggest executive interference.
The Presidency further accused the ADC of internal disorganization, arguing that the party is projecting its internal challenges outward rather than addressing leadership and structural issues within its ranks.
Dare described the opposition coalition as lacking a coherent ideology, claiming it is driven more by individual ambitions than shared political principles. He pointed to past public disagreements among key figures within the bloc as evidence of internal divisions.
Reaffirming the administration’s stance, Dare emphasized that President Tinubu remains committed to democratic values, the rule of law, and the independence of key institutions.
He concluded by urging the ADC to focus on internal reforms and present credible alternatives to Nigerians, rather than relying on what he described as rhetoric and alarmist claims.
The exchange signals an early escalation in political tensions as Nigeria gradually approaches another election cycle, with both the ruling party and opposition groups sharpening their narratives.
