ADC Official: A Future Under Tinubu is “Too Scary”

The spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has characterized the prospect of a continued presidency under Bola Tinubu as a “scary” reality that Nigerians should not have to endure. Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, January 16, 2026, Abdullahi argued that the country is currently facing an unprecedented governance crisis that necessitates a total shift in leadership by the 2027 general elections.

Abdullahi’s remarks come at a pivotal moment for the ADC, which has recently emerged as the primary vehicle for a major opposition coalition. Reflecting on the party’s recent history, he noted that 2025 was a landmark year for the movement. Despite initial mockery from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which predicted the coalition would collapse within months of its July 2025 formation, Abdullahi maintains that the party has only grown more formidable.

The spokesperson emphasized that the ADC is currently experiencing one of the fastest growth trajectories in Nigeria’s political history. He attributed this surge to a nationwide “consensus” that the current administration has failed to deliver on its promises. By January 2026, the party has successfully integrated high-profile defectors and established a platform that Abdullahi believes political scientists will eventually study as a model of rapid party development.

A former minister himself, Abdullahi used particularly sharp language to describe the current state of the nation, alleging that the Nigerian government has been “hijacked” by individuals with a “bandit mentality.” He pointed to the aggressive rhetoric often used by government officials—described as “snatch it, grab it, and run with it”—as evidence of a mindset that mirrors criminal lawlessness rather than democratic governance.

During the interview, Abdullahi also touched on specific administrative failures, such as the delay in posting ambassadors nearly three years into the administration’s tenure. He argued that even if ambassadors were appointed today, the bureaucratic process of obtaining letters of credence means they might not be at their posts until the end of 2026. This, he suggested, is a clear sign of an administration that is struggling with basic foreign policy and executive functions.

The ADC’s vision for 2027 is built on the belief that President Tinubu must be removed to “take back” the country. Abdullahi stressed that the party’s goal is not born of desperation but of a calculated necessity to rescue Nigeria from its current trajectory. He insisted that the opposition’s primary responsibility is now to convince the electorate that a viable, more competent alternative exists within the ADC’s expanding structure.

The coalition’s recent successes have emboldened its leadership, with Abdullahi noting that the party’s identity remains distinct and independent, despite the influx of heavyweights from other parties. He dismissed rumors that the party was being groomed as a personal tool for any single individual, asserting that collective ownership remains the cornerstone of the ADC’s newfound strength.

As the political clock ticks toward the next election cycle, Abdullahi’s comments serve as a rallying cry for those disillusioned with the status quo. His description of a potential second term for the APC as “too scary to contemplate” underscores the high stakes the opposition is attaching to the 2027 polls. For the ADC, the mission is no longer just about winning an election; it is about averting what they see as a national catastrophe.