African Democratic Congress, (ADC) chieftain, and publisher of the Ovation International, Dele Momodu has alleged that the current administration never intended to tolerate a strong opposition, claiming that certain individuals are being used to sabotage democratic movements and destabilise opposition parties ahead of 2027 elections.
Momodu, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, made these remarks while reacting to the stance of INEC on the leadership dispute within the ADC.
“If you have followed the trajectory since this administration came to power, you know they demonstrated clearly from day one that they did not want any opposition. They started fighting for the next election immediately and installed enablers and enforcers to do the dirty jobs for them,” he alleged.
Speaking on his decision to join the ADC, Momodu dismissed claims that the APC influenced him, describing such suggestions as false and propaganda.
“You are expressing an opinion that is absolutely false. Do not help the APC propagate their propaganda,” he said.
Momodu alleged that the APC miscalculated, assuming key opposition figures would not unite, while also using its power to destabilise parties.
“The truth is they initially left the ADC alone, hoping that Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Kwankwaso would never work together. It was a miscalculation. The APC, in its arrogance of power, tried to cause chaos in all major opposition parties. The speed at which INEC approved factions in the PDP tells you everything.”
Responding to concerns that court rulings are increasingly shaping election outcomes, Momodu accused top officials of manipulating the judiciary and weaponising poverty, warning that attempts to impose one-party or one-man rule will fail.
“Top government functionaries are investing heavily in the judiciary; it is part of the strategy. When you weaponize poverty, people are reduced to waiting for distributions of rice. It is scandalous that they want to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state or one-man rule. It may take a while, but it won’t work,” he stressed.
The ADC Chieftain further criticised INEC for overstepping by acting as a judge in the internal dispute of the ADC.
“INEC faltered by becoming the judge in the case. It is an internal affair, and if INEC did not know what to do, they should have gone to court to find out the truth rather than making their own pronouncements.
“If the APC were involved, INEC would never have acted this way. A man shall not be a judge in his own cause. INEC is responding to pressure from God knows where, not to court orders. That pressure came heavily after the declaration of Dr. Kwankwaso and others. INEC misinterpreted the court’s order,” Momodu said.
Momodu insisted the opposition remains united, with figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“How can the opposition fail to unite? The man who came second in the last election is in the coalition. Peter Obi is in the coalition. Kwankwaso, Tambuwal, and other great people are in the coalition. The ruling government inadvertently forced this alternative on Nigeria. People who wouldn’t ordinarily sit in the same room realized that ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’
“In defiance, over half a million new people have registered in the ADC in the last week despite INEC’s stance. Whether you recognize us or not, we will continue our processes. Nigeria will not be a one-party state,” he declared.
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