Atiku’s Aide Accuses Tinubu, APC Governors of Intimidating Opposition, Says ADC Rallies Under Threat

Demola Olarewaju, Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly using state power to intimidate opposition parties and undermine their political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olarewaju made the allegations in a post on X, claiming that the APC was working to frustrate the ADC’s growing political activities, particularly its campaign rallies in northern Nigeria, while allegedly suppressing social media activities in some states.

He argued that President Tinubu could have strengthened his re-election prospects by focusing on legacy projects and improving Nigerians’ living conditions but had instead presided over economic hardship and what he described as misgovernance.

According to him, the alleged use of APC governors to intimidate opposition figures could provoke resistance from citizens who feel increasingly frustrated by the political situation.

“The best campaign for Bola Tinubu would have been legacy projects and actual impact on the lives of Nigerians, but he instead chose misgovernance and hardship,” Olarewaju wrote.

He further alleged that attempts were being made to frustrate ADC rallies in northern states and restrict social media activities in certain locations, insisting that the party’s message on economic affordability continued to attract public attention.

Olarewaju maintained that no level of intimidation could suppress an idea whose time had come, describing Atiku’s political message as a promise of a more affordable and secure Nigeria.

He also alleged that the APC was attempting to halt Atiku’s political momentum through intimidation, citing reported incidents and political developments in Edo, Kaduna, Rivers and Sokoto states.

“APC’s plan to halt Atiku’s momentum seems to be intimidation – from Edo to Kaduna to Rivers and now in Sokoto,” he stated.

The ADC aide also referenced the reported confrontation involving activist and politician Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti State, arguing that the incidents pointed to what he described as a troubling pattern of state intimidation against opposition voices.

He subsequently invoked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s warning about the dangers of returning Nigeria to the political atmosphere associated with the pre-civil-war Western Region, commonly described as the Wild Wild West.

Olarewaju urged the Tinubu administration to reconsider its approach to opposition politics, warning that alleged government intimidation could escalate political tensions if left unaddressed.

However, the allegations remain claims made by the ADC aide and would require independent verification and responses from the APC and the affected state governments.

The development adds to the growing political tension surrounding opposition mobilisation and the emerging contest ahead of the 2027 general elections, with questions about political freedom, security of campaign activities and the protection of democratic participation likely to remain central to the national debate.