A heated war of words erupted between Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), following escalating attacks on prominent political figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi.
The APC slammed these opposition leaders as “confused, clueless, rudderless, and pitiful,” accusing them of trying to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic system through what it called “a coordinated hijack of the ADC.”
APC Targets El-Rufai, Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi
In a strongly-worded statement, APC spokesperson Felix Morka described the ADC coalition, which includes El-Rufai, Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi, as a “clear and present threat to national unity,” and blamed them for undermining the presidential zoning principle.
Morka said El-Rufai’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration was driven by bitterness over his failed ministerial nomination, calling the former governor’s political trajectory “a fall from grace that requires forensic analysis.”
He added:
“El-Rufai and Atiku’s hijack of ADC constitutes a clear and present threat to the unity, peace, and progress of Nigeria.”
The APC further accused the group of lacking concrete alternatives to Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly on fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reform.
ADC: Tinubu’s Reforms Are ‘Heartless’ and ‘Foreign-Imposed’
In swift retaliation, ADC National Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai described President Tinubu’s reforms as “heartless,” accusing the government of blindly following policy prescriptions from international financial institutions.
“These reforms are not tailored for Nigerians. They are dictated by Bretton Woods institutions,” Rufai said in an exclusive interview.
He also accused the APC-led government of worsening the poverty crisis through an aggressive tax regime despite official data showing over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty.
ADC Welcomes Atiku, Obi Amid Realignment Talks
Rufai revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi were aligning with the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Peter Obi is coming to the ADC. Atiku is coming to the ADC. And they will go with our reform plans,” he affirmed.
He rejected claims that the ADC was disrupting the North-South rotational presidency, stating that the party’s internal structure aims to eliminate godfatherism and empower grassroots democratic participation.
CUPP: APC’s Attacks on Obi Are a Smokescreen
Meanwhile, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) weighed in, condemning the APC’s verbal attacks on Peter Obi as “diversionary.”
National Secretary Chief Peter Ameh defended Obi’s policy legacy and argued that his track record of prudent governance and advocacy for reform remains unmatched.
“The APC has nothing to offer except smear campaigns. Obi remains a consistent voice for transparency and accountability,” he said.
Ameh accused the APC of weaponizing propaganda to distract from its failings, particularly in addressing worsening economic hardship under its watch.
Final Thoughts
As tensions grow between the ruling party and a rapidly aligning opposition front, Nigeria’s political future may hinge on how well each side can address public discontent over economic hardship and internal party reforms. With talks of a new coalition and realignments under the ADC umbrella, the stage appears set for a fierce political showdown ahead of the 2027 elections.
