Abuja, Nigeria – September 7, 2025 – Senator Aminu Tambuwal, a former Sokoto State governor and prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to undermine opposition parties ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. In a fiery interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 5, Tambuwal claimed the APC is using coercion, economic distress, and law enforcement to weaken opposition structures, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democratic fabric.
“When you look at what is happening in various political parties in Nigeria today, you don’t need to be told, no matter the amount of denial by whoever, including President Bola Tinubu, that they are not involved in destabilization efforts of opposition parties,” Tambuwal stated, as reported by Daily Post Nigeria and Leadership.ng. “I am not accusing them. I am saying they are involved in efforts aimed at destabilizing opposition parties.” When pressed for evidence, he remained resolute: “I am saying, I am not suspecting. They are involved in all of this.”
Tambuwal’s allegations come amid heightened political tensions, including the detention of opposition figures like himself by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a key PDP leader, has similarly accused the Tinubu administration of weaponizing the EFCC to target political opponents, citing Tambuwal’s detention as evidence of an agenda to intimidate opposition voices. “The recent events in Kaduna, Katsina, and other areas highlight a troubling trend towards authoritarianism under the Tinubu administration,” Atiku posted on X on September 5.
The senator also pointed to specific instances of alleged interference, such as the invitation of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ADC leaders by the Nigeria Police Force over charges of disturbing public peace. Tambuwal suggested these moves, alongside defections from opposition parties like the PDP to the APC, are driven by economic hardships and political pressure orchestrated by the ruling party. “The signs are very clear. They are very ominous. The people in charge of government today in Nigeria are interested in a one-party state,” he warned, as reported by Arise News.
Tambuwal, who campaigned against Tinubu in the 2023 elections, expressed dismay at the state of governance, stating, “I’m shocked that under Tinubu’s watch, Nigeria is being run the way it’s run today, and I can’t say that I’m disappointed because I campaigned against him.” He dismissed claims that the ADC-led coalition is a pro-northern agenda, citing its diverse membership, including figures like Peter Obi from the southeast and Rauf Aregbesola from Osun State. “Is Peter Obi from Northern Nigeria? What are you telling me?” he asked on Politics Today.
The accusations have sparked polarized reactions. Some X users echoed Tambuwal’s concerns, with one posting, “Tinubu’s APC is trying to silence opposition before 2027. This is dangerous for democracy.” Others defended the administration, with @NGRPresident stating on April 28, “DEMOCRACY STRONG AND ALIVE IN NIGERIA; IGNORE ALARMISTS,” in response to similar claims. The controversy underscores broader anxieties about democratic backsliding, a concern not unique to Nigeria but also relevant in the U.S., where political polarization and allegations of institutional misuse have fueled debates ahead of the 2026 midterms.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, Tambuwal’s call for a constitutional change of government and his allegations of authoritarian tactics highlight the high stakes of political competition. Whether these claims will galvanize opposition unity or deepen divisions remains uncertain, but they have undeniably intensified scrutiny of Tinubu’s administration.
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