The Democratic Front (TDF) has accused the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of resorting to blackmail
This was after its interim national Chairman, David Mark, claimed that the President Bola Tinubu administration is using the courts to stop his party.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group urged members of the new coalition to work on their internal issues rather than looking for whom to blame.
”TDF has observed the consistent use of blackmail as a tool by leaders of ADC to conceal their political shortcomings, in their bid to present a formidable opposition against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming general elections in 2027.
”We recall with dismay that this same group of politicians had accused President Bola of being intolerant of opposition and scheming towards establishing a one-party state.
”Not only was the accusation false, baseless and unfounded, but the same politicians have unwittingly confirmed the President’s tolerance of opposition and disposition towards multi-party democracy when they successfully launched and adopted ADC as their political party without any hindrance or interference.
”Subsequent turn of events further confirmed that the accusation against Tinubu by members of the fragile political coalition, was a smokescreen to deflect public attention from their inability to transform a voluntary association of like minds into a political party, as they jettisoned the registration of All Democratic Alliance (ADA), to join an existing political party,” the group said.
It also accused the coalition members of not doing their homework well before adopting ADC as a platform.
”We have discovered that the Atiku-led coalition failed to conduct a proper check on the party’s legal status before they hurriedly joined. The sudden realisation that it was engrossed in a prolonged legal duel over its leadership, as it was at the time the party was adopted, is sending fears down the spines of Mark and his co-travellers.
“So it is not surprising that they have resorted to their usual traits of political scapegoating against the president in a bid to excuse their tardiness.
”The decision to put 310 lawyers on standby confirms the fright and desperation currently rocking the party which informed the unwarranted insinuations against the Tinubu presidency.
”We therefore find it rather disconcerting that Senator Mark, who had the privilege to preside over the Nigerian Senate, and also chaired the National Assembly for 8 years would opt to lead a political party that is in gross contravention of the constitutional principles and ethics of internal democracy in the selection or election of its leadership, “TDF added.
The group advised the ADC leadership to conform to the stipulations of the Electoral Act and the Constitution rather than looking for those to blame for their inability to put their house in order.
