The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has urged President Bola Tinubu to withdraw his ‘All Is Fair in Politics’ remark, warning that it could encourage political thuggery, deepen divisions and threaten national security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The council said the President’s comments were inappropriate for a leader expected to promote national unity, particularly amid allegations of attacks on opposition members and supporters in different parts of the country.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC also faulted what it described as Tinubu’s failure to condemn inflammatory comments and alleged acts of violence involving some governors and chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The council said it was disappointed that the Presidency, through its spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had concentrated its criticism on opposition parties instead of addressing allegations of violence involving members of the ruling party.
It argued that the President’s remark could be interpreted as an endorsement of political desperation, intimidation, ballot snatching and other unlawful activities, adding that reports of attacks on opposition gatherings and supporters had emerged from Edo, Cross River, Gombe, Lagos, Kebbi and Kaduna states.
The ADC-PCC challenged Tinubu to explain why his interventions on political violence appeared to target opposition parties while allegedly overlooking provocative statements and actions attributed to members of his party.
It, however, maintained that the ADC remained committed to peaceful political engagement, saying its campaign would focus on addressing hunger, insecurity, unemployment, corruption and what it described as the shortcomings of the Tinubu administration.
The council consequently demanded that the President publicly withdraw the controversial remark, caution APC governors and party officials accused of promoting violence, and ensure that security agencies protect all Nigerians without political bias.
It recalled former President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that no political ambition was worth the blood of any Nigerian, insisting that Tinubu should make a similar commitment ahead of the 2027 elections. The council added that the ADC would not be intimidated and would continue its campaign peacefully.
