Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has alleged a fresh plot involving the Presidency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and elements within the judiciary to remove the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the ballot ahead of the 2027 general election.
Frank, in a statement issued on Monday, warned that any attempt to exclude the ADC and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from the election could trigger a serious democratic crisis and threaten political stability in the country.
He claimed that information available to him indicated that the ADC had become the primary target of a coordinated effort aimed at weakening the opposition and paving the way for a one-party state.
According to Frank, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is merely being used as a distraction while the real objective is to prevent the ADC and its presidential candidate from participating in the 2027 polls.
“We have been reliably informed of a fresh plot to use the judiciary and INEC to remove the ADC from the ballot come 2027. The ADC has always been the main target, while the NDC is merely being used as a decoy,” he stated.
Frank further alleged that the information was provided by a senior source within the Presidency who was concerned about the implications such actions could have on Nigeria’s democratic reputation.
The former APC spokesman urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, alleging that efforts were being intensified to suppress opposition parties and manipulate the electoral process ahead of the next general election.
He also appealed to the international community, particularly the United States Government, to closely monitor political developments in Nigeria and intervene to prevent what he described as an impending democratic crisis.
According to him, the current administration is allegedly deploying state institutions against opposition parties, especially the ADC, in a bid to retain power.
Frank warned both INEC and the judiciary against participating in any actions that could undermine the democratic process, stressing that Nigerians and the international community would hold accountable anyone found to be complicit in anti-democratic activities.
He called on opposition leaders, civil society organisations, and democratic stakeholders to unite in defence of democracy and resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.
“This is the time for all opposition leaders and presidential candidates to come together in defence of democracy. If we fail to act now, we may all have to deal with the grave consequences of our silence and inaction,” he said.
Frank maintained that Nigeria’s democracy must be protected from actions capable of undermining electoral competition and public confidence in the democratic process.
Neither the Presidency, INEC nor the judiciary had responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.