Fear of intimidation keeps govs from joining ADC coalition – Abdullahi

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Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the African Democratic Congress has revealed that state governors are hesitant to join the opposition coalition platform formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu due to alleged intimidation.

The ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known on Saturday during the 3rd Expanded Meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (North), held in Abuja.

He described the alleged acts of intimidation as a conspiracy against the Nigerian people.

On July 1, key opposition figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, APC’s 2023 presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai launched the ADC as a unified opposition platform to confront Tinubu in 2027.

Although former Senate President David Mark and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola were appointed as the party’s interim National Chairman and Secretary respectively, and a few Nigerians have since aligned with the party, no sitting governor has joined.

Abdullahi attributed this hesitation to fear, stating that some governors are aligning with President Tinubu to avoid being intimidated.

He stated, “We don’t need to particularly target any serving governor. We know that no serving governor will want to come to us now because of the kind of intimidation that they are facing.

“We know what they are doing to them. Some of them who cannot jump to their party (APC) are saying we are endorsing their presidential candidate (President Tinubu). No problem.

“But what you are seeing is a conspiracy against the Nigerian people. The ADC welcomes everybody, but we are convinced that we are a movement that has the backing of the majority of Nigerians who are not happy with the direction this country is going.”Punch