The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has dismissed allegations of President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the crisis bogging down the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ahmad Sajoh, and Secretary, Danjuma Sada, the group accused ADC leaders of seeking to deflect attention from their failure to conduct due diligence on the party before adopting it as a platform.
“We have taken note of recent allegations by elements within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) seeking to blame President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the internal crisis currently engulfing their party.
“We find these claims not only baseless but a deliberate attempt to shift attention from the consequences of their own actions.
“By their own admission, the crisis within the ADC stems from a disorderly and procedurally defective takeover process by which some opposition figures sought to capture the party structure.
“This clearly exposes the root of the problem, an open disregard for due process, internal democracy, and the basic tenets of party governance,” the statement said.
It argued that the lack of pain in building a formidable structure is the bane of Nigerian politics in recent years.
“TSF notes that what is playing out in ADC is a familiar pattern, one driven by desperation, personal ambition, and a lack of coherent strategy among its leadership cadre.
“And rather than building a viable political alternative grounded in ideas, policy, and grassroots engagement, these actors have reduced party management to a contest of opportunism and power grabs. “The result is the avoidable chaos Nigerians are witnessing today.
“For us, it is both ironic and instructive that many of the individuals now crying foul were central to similar conduct that led to the decline and fragmentation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The same culture of imposition, internal subversion, and elite manipulation that weakened the PDP is now being replicated within ADC. History, it appears, is repeating itself but this time only faster.
“We therefore urge the leadership elements within ADC to accept responsibility for their failure simpliciter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, political parties are built on discipline, structure, and respect for rules. Where these are absent, collapse is inevitable. Blaming external forces for self-inflicted wounds only deepens public distrust and diminishes the credibility of the opposition.
“Blaming President Tinubu or INEC for what is clearly an internal crisis of leadership and legitimacy is out of place.
“In our view, Nigeria’s democratic institutions must not be used as scapegoats for the consequences of poor political management.
“At a time when Nigerians expect serious, policy-driven opposition that can contribute meaningfully to national development, it is disappointing that ADC’s leadership has chosen the path of excuses over accountability,” it added.
The group urged all political actors to rise above petty power struggles and focus on strengthening democratic institutions, deepening internal party democracy, and presenting credible alternatives to the Nigerian people.
