A prominent political advocacy group has told leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to stop using President Bola Tinubu as a “scapegoat” for an internal leadership crisis they claim was caused by a “procedurally defective” takeover.

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) issued a stinging rebuke on Wednesday, following allegations from within the ADC that the presidency and the electoral commission were interference in the party’s affairs.

The TSF argued that the current chaos—which has seen the party’s leadership frozen by court order—is the direct result of opposition figures, including allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, attempting to “capture” the party structure without following due process.

‘Desperation and Power Grabs’

The TSF leadership, represented by Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada, claimed that the ADC’s troubles are “self-inflicted wounds” caused by a lack of coherent strategy and a disregard for internal democracy.

“Rather than building a viable political alternative grounded in ideas, these actors have reduced party management to a contest of opportunism,” the group stated. They further alleged that the same “culture of imposition” that led to the fragmentation of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is now being replicated within the ADC.

Key Allegations from the TSF:

• Failure of Due Diligence: The group claims opposition leaders failed to properly vet the ADC’s legal structure before adopting it as their new political platform.
• History Repeating: The TSF noted that many individuals now “crying foul” were central to the internal subversion that previously weakened the PDP.
• Scapegoating Institutions: The group insisted that neither the President nor INEC is responsible for what they termed a “crisis of leadership and legitimacy.”

Analysis: The ‘Third Force’ in Turmoil

The ADC has recently been positioned as a potential “third force” for 2027, drawing in heavyweights from across the political divide. However, as the TSF correctly points out, this rapid expansion has brought with it the same “elite manipulation” that has historically plagued Nigerian parties.

By framing the ADC’s legal troubles as a “failed takeover,” the pro-Tinubu group is attempting to dismantle the narrative that the government is suppressing the opposition. Instead, they are portraying the opposition as administratively incompetent—a narrative that may resonate with voters weary of perennial party infighting. The TSF’s call for “policy-driven opposition” is a calculated challenge to their rivals to move beyond “petty power struggles.”

A Call for Accountability

The TSF urged the ADC leadership to “accept responsibility for their failure simpliciter,” arguing that a party built without a solid foundation of discipline is destined for collapse.

“Blaming external forces for self-inflicted wounds only deepens public distrust,” the statement added, calling on political actors to focus on strengthening democratic institutions rather than “shifting attention from the consequences of their own actions.”

As the legal battle for the ADC continues in the Abuja High Court, the TSF says it remains focused on ensuring that national institutions are not used as “excuses” for poor political management.