ADC’s Owokoniran Laments: Opposition Oppressed, Nigeria Turning Banana Republic Under Tinubu
Lagos leader in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, has lamented that Nigeria was witnessing a dangerous decline in democratic values, security, economic wellbeing and respect for the rule of law under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration.
Owokoniran said the rule of law must never become selective, warning that reports of political clashes, attacks and disruptions of opposition party’s meetings and activities was dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.
Recent clashes involving APC tugs attacking ADC supporters in Kaduna and all parts of Nigeria, which had resulted to individuals sustaining severe injuries and vehicles and campaign materials being damaged, further raised concerns about political violence ahead of 2027.
“If opposition parties in Nigeria cannot gather, organise and express themselves without fear, then we must ask ourselves what is happening to our democracy,” he said.
Owokoniran also condemned the continuing insecurity across the country.
He said kidnappers, bandits and terrorist groups continued to operate and threaten communities, while ordinary Nigerians continued to struggle for survival as they fought against the rising cost of living.
He lamented: “A recent security study reported 7,825 abductions and at least 1,142 deaths between July 2025 and June 2026, with recorded ransom payments reaching about $5.8 million.
“Nigerians are being kidnapped, killed and displaced while criminals continue to challenge the authority of the Nigerian State. This cannot be normal and therefore intolerable to the State.
“The economic hardship is equally disturbing.
“The IMF reported that poverty had reached about 63 percent and that an estimated 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity in late 2025. The World Bank also says insecurity, weak job creation, infrastructure gaps and widespread poverty remain major challenges.
“A government cannot tell Nigerians that everything is working when millions cannot comfortably afford to pay for their food, transportation, electricity, healthcare and decent housing.”
Owokoniran further criticised what he described as the weakness of national civic institutions and the need to improve public education and social welfare systems in the country.
He also said that the government had failed to meet the expectations of public services in handling the economy and the environmental crisis in the country.
He said: “The government’s failure to deliver on its promises of fiscal reforms has led to a sharp decline in public services. The economy has suffered from the worst recession in the last three years because of a slump in public spending, which many economists say has destroyed the economy and the financial turmoil in recent years.
“Nigerians need to be productive to generate wealth profits and reduce importation of goods and commodities from abroad.
“In addition, accountability, national values and responsible management and governance are essential for the future development and prosperity of our nation.”
He said Nigeria needed a government that respected the Constitution, protected citizens, strengthened democratic institutions, tackled insecurity, created jobs, reduced economic hardship and restored confidence in the nation.
Addressing Nigerians, he said: “What is the way forward? Are we going to fold our hands and watch our democracy fail or we are ready to demand for a country where the rule of law prevails, citizens’ liberty is protected and democratic values prevail.
On the 2027 political contest, Owokoniran said he believed the opposition leadership being proposed by Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi offered an alternative political direction that would address the problems facing Nigeria in respect of its citizens’ security, socioeconomic interests and institutional stability.
