ADC-PCC Accuses APC of ‘Rape of Democracy’, Says Atiku Is Key to Nigeria’s Democratic Renewal

By Ladan Muhammad

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has condemned the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, describing it as a “rape of democracy” and alleging an attempt to establish one-party dominance in Nigeria.

The ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the allegations on Wednesday while reacting to the inauguration ceremony.

Ologbondiyan accused the ruling party of undermining multiparty democracy by allegedly pressuring opposition governors to align with the APC or participate in its presidential campaign council despite remaining members of their respective political parties.

“What we are witnessing is not politics but political abduction. You cannot claim to be a democrat while using state power to force opposition governors into your party and then drafting them into your campaign council. This is political banditry,” he said.

He further alleged that key national institutions, security agencies and the judiciary were being used to weaken opposition forces and consolidate political power.

The ADC-PCC spokesman urged Nigerians, civil society organisations and the media to resist what he described as an emerging political order that prioritises retaining power over citizens’ welfare.

According to him, the country’s economic hardship, hunger and insecurity demonstrate the urgent need for political accountability and democratic reforms.

“These particular sets of leaders don’t care about the current conditions of the people but how best to remain in power at a time when average Nigerians find it difficult to eat and be secure,” Ologbondiyan said.

He also expressed concern over what he described as increasing intolerance towards dissenting voices, harassment of opposition figures and the weakening of democratic institutions for partisan interests.

Ologbondiyan maintained that Nigeria’s democracy was facing significant challenges, warning that the country’s democratic ideals must be protected.

The ADC-PCC spokesman also expressed confidence in the presidential ticket of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, describing them as experienced politicians capable of addressing the nation’s challenges.

He singled out Atiku as a committed democrat with the national reach and political experience needed to unite the country and rebuild public confidence in democratic institutions.

“Atiku Abubakar is a democrat to the core. He has the national spread, the capacity and the will to reunite Nigeria and restore our battered democracy,” he declared.

The ADC-PCC called on Nigerians, media organisations, civil society groups and the international community to support efforts to protect multiparty democracy.

The allegations against the APC were made by the ADC-PCC and were not independently established in the statement.