The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the recent defections of the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal of the people and a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the defections confirmed its long-standing warning that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, regardless of the consequences for national stability.
“The recent defections by the governors of Enugu and Bayelsa States to the ruling APC validate our warning that President Tinubu is bent on turning Nigeria into a one-party state — no matter the cost to democracy or national stability,” Abdullahi said.
The party described the actions of the two governors as a “deliberate effort to weaken the opposition” and consolidate unchecked power in the hands of the ruling party.
According to Abdullahi, the defections might seem like a political gain for the APC, but they actually represent a major loss for democratic diversity and accountability.
The ADC further accused the defected governors of abandoning their citizens in exchange for personal or political interests, aligning themselves with an administration that, according to the party, has made life “miserable for the majority of Nigerians.”
The party highlighted Nigeria’s rising insecurity, worsening economy, high food prices, unemployment, and weak social welfare system as evidence of the APC’s failure in governance.
“Every day, Nigerians are paying the price for these failures. Food prices continue to rise, jobs are non-existent, and insecurity continues to choke every part of the country,” the statement added.
The ADC also accused the Tinubu administration of failing in all key areas, including economic management, healthcare, anti-corruption, and foreign policy, warning that democracy itself is at risk if opposition voices continue to be stifled through defections and political coercion.
Political observers say the ADC’s warning echoes growing concerns about Nigeria’s shrinking opposition space and the increasing dominance of the ruling APC ahead of future elections.
