ADC Slams APC Over Alleged Dictatorial Tendencies, Condemns Sealing of PDP Secretariat

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) over what it described as growing dictatorial tendencies within the ruling party, following the sealing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretariat in Abuja.

The move, reportedly directed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was carried out by the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA), allegedly over years of unpaid ground rents.

In a statement issued by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Effiong Nyong, during an interview in Calabar, the party described the action as “emerging dictatorship” and called on “true democrats” to rise and resist what it termed as the APC’s anti-democratic behavior.

“The seal-up is a tragic testimony of our democratic evolution. It’s unfortunate that this backwardness is being promoted by the APC, the ruling party,” Nyong said.

“This is a wake-up call to all true democrats to resist the emerging dictatorship. If this trend is allowed to stand, it will drag Nigeria further down the hill of political embarrassment in the comity of democratic nations in Africa and beyond.”

The ADC accused the APC of pretending to be democratic while acting in ways reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.

“These pretenders claim to have fought the military, but even the late General Sani Abacha’s regime was more tolerant,” Nyong added.

“This is not just about the PDP—it affects all Nigerians. We are all feeling the pain and suffering caused by bad governance under the current administration.”

The party reiterated the need for a strong democratic coalition to challenge what it described as “anti-democratic forces” in Nigeria.

In response to the ADC’s position, a chieftain of the APC and former presidential adviser, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, dismissed the allegations, stating that the opposition was politicizing a lawful action.

“No entity, regardless of status, should be exempt from legal and financial obligations. The law is impartial and must be obeyed by all, including political parties,” Obono-Obla stated.

He stressed that political organizations, as instruments for leadership recruitment, must demonstrate accountability and integrity.

“It is baffling that a party generating significant revenue from nomination forms would neglect its financial obligations for over two decades,” he added.

The sealing of the PDP secretariat has sparked debate across the political landscape, with opposition parties viewing it as intimidation, while the ruling party defends it as a matter of law and order.