Ballots Not Bullets: Analyzing the ADC’s Strategic Response to the Presidency
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a statement on July 9, 2025, responding to allegations from the Presidency, specifically Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, who claimed the opposition was plotting to overthrow the government.
The ADC, through its National Chairman Ralphs Okey Nwosu, clarified that it seeks to remove Tinubu through democratic means—via votes in future elections, not through violence or “bullets.” The statement, widely shared on X by outlets like
@ParallelFacts @hifoxnews, and @36NGcom, emphasized the party’s commitment to constitutional processes and dismissed the Presidency’s accusations as baseless.
The ADC criticized the administration’s performance, pointing to public discontent, and urged Tinubu to address Nigeria’s challenges rather than targeting opposition groups. This exchange reflects heightened political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
🗣️ The Dispute
- ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said ADC is focused on democratic processes, rejecting claims by President Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, that the opposition is plotting to overthrow the government .
- Abdullahi argued Onanuga’s statement was reckless, lacked any basis, and aimed to justify actions that could suppress the opposition.
🛡️ ADC’s Bold Rebuttal
- In a strongly worded statement, Abdullahi emphasized: “We are not soldiers, we have no bullets; we only have the ballots. … When the time comes, we will present our solutions and an alternative vision and let Nigerians choose.”
- He urged Tinubu’s aides to ease up on rhetoric that might set the stage for crackdown on dissent, stressing ADC will compete politically—not violently—and await 2027 outcome via elections.
🧭 Why This Matters
| Element | Significance |
|---|---|
| Political tone | ADC reframes Onanuga’s remarks as “dog whistles” harbingers for potential repression. |
| Democracy vs. suppression | The statement positions ADC as defenders of democratic norms against possible state intimidation. |
| 2027 election stakes | ADC is signaling they aim to challenge Tinubu at the polls, not through force, highlighting growing political tension ahead of the next election. |
✅ Bottom Line
ADC strongly rejects accusations of planning a coup, reaffirming commitment to democracy and stressing that Tinubu will be removed through votes—not bullets. Their response underscores rising friction between the government and opposition and calls for a calm, democratic political atmosphere.
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