The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to publicly explain his July 29 statement that “all is fair in politics,” saying recent political remarks by members of the ruling party have raised concerns about intimidation and voters’ rights ahead of the 2027 elections.
The party made the demand in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The latest controversy followed a reported statement by Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, that residents should support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the council area. The ADC described the remark as a threat of forced displacement and called for Shekwolo’s arrest and prosecution.
Shekwolo’s Chief Protocol Officer, Tumaka Stephen, however, disputed the interpretation of the chairman’s comments. He said the remarks were intended to encourage residents to support the ruling party because of development projects in Kuje and were not meant as a threat or an attempt to restrict residents’ voting choices.
The ADC also connected the Kuje controversy with remarks attributed to APC Senator Francis Fadahunsi during the Osun governorship campaign. Fadahunsi was questioned by police over his comments and released without charge, according to reports cited by the opposition party.
The opposition party had previously criticised Tinubu’s July 29 statement after the President made it while receiving the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Tinubu was responding to political opponents seeking to challenge him in the 2027 election.
“All is fair in politics, and there is equal opportunity.”
ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi later argued that political actors could interpret such language as permission to pursue electoral victory by any means. Speaking on Arise News on August 12, he said the President should bear responsibility for the message political actors might take from the remark.
The party is now asking Tinubu to make clear that his statement was not intended to justify intimidation, voter suppression, threats of violence or attempts to force citizens from their communities because of their political choices. It also wants the President to call members of his party to order.
The demand has added to a wider debate over political conduct ahead of the 2027 elections. HURIWA has separately warned politicians and public officials against actions that could undermine multiparty democracy, while the ADC continues to press for stronger accountability for political statements and conduct.
