Democratic Space ‘Narrowing’ Under Tinubu, INEC Overreaching Itself, ADC Lawmakers Alerts International Community
Severing and former federal lawmakers in the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called the of the”attention of the international community and Nigerians to the “narrowing democratic space”in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu.
The lawmakers under the unberlla of “African Democratic Congress National Legislators Serving and Former Forum (ADC-NF,” in a world press conference it addressed in Abuja on Wednesday raised the alarm that democratic institutions and the judiciary in Nigeria were under attack by agents of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Reading the text of the press conference titled, “ON THE DEFENCE OF DEMOCRACY, THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IN NIGERIA,” former Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon Nnenna Elendu Ukeje stated that “The survival of our democracy, the integrity of our institutions, and the future of multiparty governance in Nigeria are being tested in ways that demand vigilance, courage, clarity, and collective sacrifice.”
The former lawmakers raised the alarm over a statement creditted to a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila who is seen in a viral online video urging a member of the ADC, Hon Leke Abejide to “stay inside [ADC] to fight and scatter them” while assuring the lawmaker that they [the government] would support him.
Responding to Mr. Ghbajabiamila, the former lawmaker who represented Bende Federal Constituency in the 7th and 8th House of Representatives emphatically declared that, “We consider it not only necessary to respond, but to do so with historical clarity. Time was in our contemporary history when the language of resistance, dissent, and alternative political organisation defined the very political identity of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he then was. As an opposition leader, he campaigned and complained against the dangers of one-party dominance, mobilized against it, defended pluralism, and he relied on an independent judiciary as a shield against executive overreach. He stood for democratic contestation as the essence of a thriving democracy.
It is, therefore, deeply troubling that the same democratic space that once enabled his rise now appears to be narrowing under his watch.”
Speaking on the derecognition of the Senator David Marklet National Working Committee of the ADC, the lawmakers posited that INEC as an electoral empire have “overeached” itself in clear violation of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended).
“She said:
“We must also address growing concerns regarding the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Recent actions by INEC have raised serious questions about its consistency, neutrality, and institutional independence. Developments suggest uneven administrative responses, delays affecting opposition activities, and a perception of selective engagement. Particularly instructive is the Commission’s handling of leadership issues within the ADC, including matters relating to His Excellency, David A Bonaventure Mark. By appearing to recognize one stream of leadership while disregarding ongoing internal processes and pending disputes, the Commission clearly stepped beyond its constitutional mandate. An independent electoral umpire must not be seen to choose sides, because in a democracy, perception is as important as procedure.
“Section 88 of the Electoral Act 2026 clearly provides that the internal affairs of political parties are to be determined exclusively by the parties themselves.
The group also called on the judiciary to boldly stand on the side of Nigeria and democracy irrespective the status or personality of any individual or group. “Let the judiciary act without interference. Let opposition thrive without intimidation. Let citizens participate without fear,”the lawmakers urged.
Many notable lawmakers including Hon. Ogene, Caucus Leader of the ADC in House of Representatives, 2023 Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate , Hon. Linus Okorie, Senator Dino Melaye, Hon Sergius Ogun many others attended the press conference.
Below is the full text of the press conference:
WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE
BY THE AFRICAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS NATIONAL LEGISLATORS FORUM (ADC-NF)
ON THE DEFENCE OF DEMOCRACY, THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IN NIGERIA
Abuja, Nigeria
April, 2026
Dear Compatriots, members of the press, distinguished stakeholders, and friends of Nigeria across the world.
We find it expedient to address you today at a moment of profound national significance. The survival of our democracy, the integrity of our institutions, and the future of multiparty governance in Nigeria are being tested in ways that demand vigilance, courage, clarity, and collective sacrifice.
A few days ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while hosting his political support group, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, made remarks concerning the Nigerian opposition, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Among those remarks was the characterization of the ADC National Convention as “noise and a street convention.”
We consider it not only necessary to respond, but to do so with historical clarity. Time was in our contemporary history when the language of resistance, dissent, and alternative political organisation defined the very political identity of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as he then was. As an opposition leader, he campaigned and complained against the dangers of one-party dominance, mobilized against it, defended pluralism, and he relied on an independent judiciary as a shield against executive overreach. He stood for democratic contestation as the essence of a thriving democracy.
It is, therefore, deeply troubling that the same democratic space that once enabled his rise now appears to be narrowing under his watch. We respectfully call on Mr. President to practice, in governance, the very principles he once advocated and championed in opposition; which were to protect dissent, uphold judicial independence, and to allow genuine democratic contestation to flourish.
On the issue at hand, we acknowledge without hesitation that the ADC, was faced with constraints in accessing a venue for its convention, and unwilling to replicate the scale of humongous expenditure associated the ruling party’s convention; chose to take its convention directly to the Nigerian people. In doing so, it reaffirmed a foundational democratic truth: that sovereignty resides with the people. What is described dismissively by Mr. President as a “street”event was in fact, democracy in its most authentic and organic form – close to the people, held by the people and celebrated by the Nigerian people.
Beyond rhetoric lies a far more serious constitutional issue. The matters referenced by the President are currently before courts of competent jurisdiction, with imminent hearings at both the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court. In any constitutional democracy, restraint, especially by the Executive, is not optional; it is statutory, consistent with the doctrine of separation of power.
The judiciary must decide matters before it independently, impartially, unambiguously based on facts and in accordance with the law, without restrictions, influences, coercion, or interference of any kind. This is particularly critical because judges are entrusted with decisions affecting the lives, freedoms, rights, duties, property and security of citizens; as well as the stability of the Nation.
Recent developments raise even more troubling questions about imminent interference.
We draw the attention of Nigerians, the international community and development partners on election matters to the widely reported and publicly circulating indiscretionary unguarded remarks by the President’s Chief of Staff, our colleague and immediate past Speaker of the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, directed at Hon. Abejide.
In those remarks, he charged him to
“Remain within the ranks of the ADC fighting them and scattering them from within, Wishing him success in the courts, Assuring him,” That we are happy with you and you should continue to collaborate with Nafiu Bala while promising his continued support in their enterprise.
These individuals are currently engaged in litigation with the ADC.
When the Chief of Staff to the President says “fight them, scatter them; we are happy with you, we would support you to triumph in the courts”; It is safe to conclude that he does not speak in isolation; he conveys the leanings of the President and the Presidency. When such statements are made in the context of active litigation affecting the structure and leadership of the major opposition party, they cannot be dismissed as casual remarks. They raise legitimate concerns about coordinated efforts, from the highest office in the land, to influence outcomes; both politically and, especially, judicially.
When key members of the President’s inner circle consistently take positions that intersect directly with contested internal matters of an opposition party, and when such actions are neither debunked disowned, disavowed or corrected by the President, it creates a strong and unavoidable perception of executive complicity.
Taken together with the President’s own public comments on matters that are sub judice, these developments present a pattern that cannot be ignored. They suggest not isolated incidents, but a broader approach that risks undermining opposition politics and weakening democratic balance; leveraging the judiciary.
For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership transition within the ADC was conducted in full compliance with the law.
We must also address growing concerns regarding the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Recent actions by INEC have raised serious questions about its consistency, neutrality, and institutional independence. Developments suggest uneven administrative responses, delays affecting opposition activities, and a perception of selective engagement. Particularly instructive is the Commission’s handling of leadership issues within the ADC, including matters relating to His Excellency, David A Bonaventure Mark. By appearing to recognize one stream of leadership while disregarding ongoing internal processes and pending disputes, the Commission clearly stepped beyond its constitutional mandate. An independent electoral umpire must not be seen to choose sides, because in a democracy, perception is as important as procedure.
Section 88 of the Electoral Act 2026 clearly provides that the internal affairs of political parties are to be determined exclusively by the parties themselves.
At this point, it is important to place on record that we, the legislators who speak today, are not strangers to the defence of democracy in Nigeria. Many of us were active participants in the historic invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity in 2010 following the illness and eventual passing on of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. That intervention preserved constitutional order at a critical moment and prevented a national crisis.
Similarly, several of us played roles in resolving the political crisis in Rivers and Kogi States, helping to stabilize democratic governance at a time of severe institutional strain. In all instances, we acted non partisan, but as patriots committed to the national interest.
It is from that same position that we speak today. Our intervention while partisan, is more importantly; principled stand for the defence, stability, protection of democracy and preservation of our beloved country.
Across Nigeria and beyond, there is a growing concern about the trajectory of governance. Questions are being asked, quietly but persistently, about whether current developments signal a drift toward concentration of power beyond constitutional limits; a tyrannical push for life presidency as is now witnessed in several African countries. It must be clearly stated: the President is bequeath with multiple powers but one power he does not possess, by the constitution or by any other authority, is the power to alter or extend constitutional limits unilaterally.
We must reiterate that there is a clear difference between the tyranny of the majority and true democracy; between illiberal civil rule and a system grounded in democratic contestation; between constitutional governance and authoritarian subjugation. Nigeria must remain firmly on the side of democracy.
Resisting overreach by Mr. President is not subversion; it is a constitutionally given right and duty. It is appropriate and, indeed, patriotic.
To the judiciary, we reiterate: this is a defining moment; the tipping point, the nation’s eleventh for survival. Your independence must remain sacrosanct. Your integrity must be unquestionable and your patriotism unapologetic. Your decision will determine the drift. The Constitution must be your only guide.
To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we say respectfully: Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by the very forces that once fought to build it. The preservation of democratic space is not a favour to the opposition; it is a duty owed to the nation.
To Nigerians everywhere, this is a moment for vigilance. Democracy does not defend itself. It survives only when citizens, institutions, and leaders commit to its protection.
In conclusion, Nigeria must remain a nation governed by law, not expediency; by robust institutions, not strong individuals; and by the will of the people, not predetermined outcomes.
Let the judiciary act without interference. Let opposition thrive without intimidation. Let citizens participate without fear.
Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its people, and it must be protected and defended by all.
We remain committed to defending it through all lawful means; through the courts, through civic engagement, and at the ballot box.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Signed:
African Democratic Congress National Legislators Serving and Former Forum (ADC-NF).