PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has condemned the purported suspension of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, describing the move as illegal, politically motivated, and driven by what he termed “enemies of democracy” in Adamawa State.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Eze dismissed the action as the handiwork of a non-existent faction of the ADC, insisting that the individuals behind the move lack legitimacy and are acting out of desperation and self-interest.
Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), said Atiku has, over the years, established himself as a political institution and a symbol of democratic ideals, with an influence in Adamawa State that transcends party affiliations.
He argued that the alleged suspension was a product of “hunger, deprivation and poor judgment,” which he linked to the prevailing socio-economic conditions under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the statement issued by his media office, Eze accused the APC of orchestrating the development, alleging that the ruling party had descended to sponsoring what he described as “baseless and ill-conceived attempts” to undermine a prominent opposition figure.
“The purported suspension of Atiku and Babachir is a callous act by a few ADC elements driven by desperation and hostility to democratic values in Adamawa State,” he said.
Drawing from his personal experience, Eze noted that having lived in Adamawa State for over 25 years and being a student of Atiku’s political ideology, he could attest that no individual or group could diminish the former Vice President’s relevance in the political landscape of the state.
He described the development as both “abnormal and laughable,” likening it to “a tenant attempting to evict a landlord from his own property,” and maintained that Atiku remains at the centre of one of the most formidable grassroots political structures in Adamawa.
Eze further questioned the legitimacy of the factional leadership behind the purported suspension, insisting that such actions reflect a troubling trend of political manipulation and internal destabilisation.
He warned that attempts to interfere in the affairs of opposition figures could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic stability, urging political actors to exercise restraint.
The ADC chieftain also called on Nigerians to disregard the purported suspension, describing it as lacking both legal and moral standing.
Taking a broader swipe at the ruling party, Eze cautioned President Tinubu and the APC against what he termed “undemocratic and heavy-handed tactics” aimed at weakening opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, “These actions are unbecoming of a leader who prides himself as a democrat and political strategist,” urging the administration to focus instead on governance and addressing pressing national challenges.
He expressed concern over what he described as growing political anxiety within the ruling party despite its control of key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other arms of government.
Eze alleged that attempts to use state institutions to influence internal party matters signal a lack of confidence in a free and fair electoral process.
He urged opposition leaders and Nigerians not to be discouraged, insisting that no amount of political pressure or intimidation would suppress democratic participation or alter the will of the electorate.
The ADC stalwart further criticised the current administration’s performance, citing persistent insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, and rising poverty as indicators of governance failure.
He concluded that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on fairness, transparency, and respect for opposition voices, warning that any attempt to stifle dissent could undermine the integrity of the nation’s electoral process.
