The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a sharp rebuttal to the Presidency’s recent dismissal of claims that President Bola Tinubu intends to extend his tenure beyond constitutional limits.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the Presidency’s reaction as presumptuous, undemocratic, and deeply troubling. The party maintained that Tinubu’s mandate ends in 2027 and categorically stated that Nigerians have no interest in extending his tenure by “a single day.”
According to the ADC, the current state of insecurity, widespread hunger, oppressive taxation, and unprecedented abuse of power are more than enough reasons for President Tinubu to begin preparing for his exit—not entertaining thoughts of a second term, let alone beyond.
“Any suggestion of staying beyond 2027,” the statement read, “only confirms that this administration is dangerously out of touch with the realities facing everyday Nigerians.”
The opposition party did not mince words in calling on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to start preparing for a transition—“stop plotting to stay, and start preparing to go.”
ADC’s Full Statement:
“The Presidency’s anxious response to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s comments—that President Bola Tinubu may be nursing ambitions of staying in power indefinitely—only reinforces what many Nigerians have long suspected: this administration is not only disconnected from reality but also steeped in self-deception.
That President Tinubu is already speaking of remaining in office until 2031 reveals a mindset that treats re-election not as a democratic exercise, but as a foregone conclusion. But make no mistake—re-election is not automatic. It must be earned. And thus far, Tinubu has not earned a second term.
In just two years, he has presided over unprecedented national division and deepened the economic misery of Nigerians. Poverty is rising, insecurity is out of control, and life has become unbearable for millions.
More innocent lives have been lost under his watch than under any previous administration in recent memory. Vast regions of the North are now effectively under the control of bandits, who impose taxes while the federal government does the same from Abuja.
Under Tinubu’s leadership, national security has deteriorated into a tragic farce. Kidnappings in broad daylight have become routine. Rural communities resemble conflict zones. And the government seems either unwilling or unable to restore order.
The economy is in free fall. The naira has crashed. Inflation is soaring. Food prices have tripled in many areas. Jobs are vanishing. The middle class is shrinking. Businesses are collapsing under the weight of punishing taxes and inconsistent policies.
Meanwhile, the power sector remains in crisis. Despite repeated promises, blackouts persist, and national grid failures are now commonplace. Billions have been spent, yet there’s no measurable increase in megawatts. Darkness, both literal and symbolic, defines this administration.
On social development, the outlook is equally grim. The Human Development Index continues to decline. Education is underfunded. Healthcare is on the verge of collapse. Millions of children remain out of school. Nigeria’s youth are increasingly disillusioned, unemployed, and unheard.
Civil liberties are under assault. Court orders are flouted. Journalists are harassed. Peaceful protesters are brutalized. The same President who once claimed to be a democrat now oversees a government that is authoritarian in tone, dismissive of dissent, and allergic to transparency.
Fiscal responsibility has been abandoned. Budget padding, wasteful spending, opaque palliatives, and unexplained loans are now standard operating procedures. The unresolved fuel subsidy scandal alone remains a national disgrace.
In light of this overwhelming failure, any talk of a second term—or worse, indefinite rule—is not only tone-deaf but dangerous. President Tinubu should not be plotting to stay. He should be preparing to leave. He has done enough damage.
Let no one be fooled into believing that a ‘life presidency’ is unthinkable. This is a man who, since leaving office as Lagos State Governor in 2007, has handpicked every governor, installed speakers, and controlled virtually every key appointment in the state. What he perfected in Lagos, he is now trying to scale nationally.
But let it be known: Nigeria is not Lagos.
In 2027, the contest will not be ADC versus APC. It will be APC versus the Nigerian people.”
Conclusion
The ADC’s statement underscores a growing tension in Nigeria’s political landscape and reflects rising dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration. As the 2027 elections approach, opposition parties appear poised to make governance, security, and economic performance central campaign issues—while warning against any perceived drift toward authoritarianism.
