ADC alleges plot to entrench one-party state

…warns judiciary against political interference

By Lateef Ibrahim

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of attempting to weaken Nigeria’s democracy, warning the judiciary against actions it says could aid the emergence of a one-party state.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV on Tuesday, monitored in Abuja, the party’s Deputy National Financial Secretary, Oladimeji Fabiyi, alleged that the government was using institutions of state to frustrate opposition parties.
Fabiyi’s comments followed the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the ADC’s state congresses.
He urged the judiciary to remain independent, insisting that the courts should not be used to undermine democratic principles.
According to him, the ADC would continue its political activities despite the legal challenge, expressing confidence that the party’s legal team would address the matter before the courts.
Fabiyi also claimed that other opposition parties, including the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), were facing similar challenges, which he described as part of a broader attempt to suppress political opposition ahead of future elections.
He maintained that the ADC would not be deterred by the court proceedings and called on Nigerians to remain vigilant in defence of the country’s democratic system.