The Democratic Front (TDF) has faulted the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for what it described as an attempt to scapegoat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the party’s internal crisis.
This followed comments by the interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, who alleged that the Tinubu-led administration was using the courts to frustrate his party’s political progress.
In a statement jointly signed by TDF Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group said the ADC leadership was using blackmail to cover its internal weaknesses.
“TDF has observed the consistent use of blackmail as a tool by leaders of ADC to conceal their political shortcomings in their bid to present a formidable opposition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections,” the statement said.
The group recalled that the same coalition had previously accused Tinubu of plotting to impose a one-party state.
“Not only was the accusation false and baseless, but these same politicians have unintentionally confirmed the President’s tolerance for opposition and commitment to multiparty democracy when they adopted ADC without any hindrance or interference,” TDF noted.
TDF further stated that the coalition failed to do due diligence before adopting the ADC platform.
“We have discovered that the Atiku-led coalition failed to properly verify the party’s legal status before hurriedly aligning with it. Their belated realisation that ADC was already entangled in a long-standing legal tussle over its leadership has now thrown them into confusion,” the group said.
The statement noted that the decision to engage 310 lawyers in anticipation of legal challenges further reflects the desperation within the party.
“It is therefore unfortunate that Senator David Mark, who once presided over the Nigerian Senate and chaired the National Assembly for eight years, would now lead a party that blatantly violates the constitutionally prescribed principles of internal democracy,” the group added.
TDF urged ADC leaders to focus on complying with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution, instead of seeking scapegoats for their own internal failings.
