The Nigerian Presidency has emphatically dismissed claims by Ralph Nwosu, a former National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), that he was offered three ministerial slots to withdraw from a proposed opposition coalition. This rebuttal sets the stage for a significant political dispute, highlighting the intricate dynamics within Nigeria’s current political landscape and the sensitivity surrounding ministerial appointments and coalition efforts.
Responding swiftly to Nwosu’s allegations, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, took to his verified X handle, branding the former ADC chairman’s statements as nothing more than unsubstantiated fabrications. Bwala’s firm denial underscores the administration’s stance on the matter, suggesting that Nwosu’s narrative lacks credible evidence and is designed to create undue political stir within the national discourse on Nigerian politics.
Bwala further emphasized that the authority to promise or grant ministerial positions rests solely with the President, not with any government official, regardless of their rank. He challenged Nwosu to name the individuals who allegedly made these offers, questioning the courage to make such grave accusations without providing concrete details or mentioning their positions in the Tinubu administration, thereby casting doubt on the veracity of the political allegations.
In a counter-response, Nwosu, who initially made his claims during an appearance on Arise News Prime Time, reiterated his position but declined to disclose the names of the alleged perpetrators. He maintained that the ADC party was actively compiling documents to substantiate his claims, suggesting that evidence would eventually surface to buttress his assertions regarding the attempts to derail the African Democratic Congress’s coalition plans.
Nwosu also voiced profound concerns regarding the state of democracy in Nigeria, asserting that his public alarm about inducements was intended to warn the presidency against actions that could potentially undermine the nation’s democratic system. He accused the Tinubu administration of providing security, luxury SUVs, and hotel accommodations to certain state ADC chairmen, allegedly to encourage them to work against the interests of the coalition and weaken the opposition’s unity.
Elaborating on the core objective of the opposition coalition, Nwosu stressed that their primary demand was for free and fair elections, querying why the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would seek to impede other political parties’ progress ahead of 2027. He described how the government was reportedly leveraging ADC card-carrying members to scuttle their initiatives, including instigating legal challenges against the coalition’s activities while offering them protection, further intensifying the political allegations against the ruling party.
The former ADC chairman recounted instances where some coerced party members had reached out to him, with at least two formally withdrawing from their involvement under pressure, including the Niger State Chairman. Nwosu reiterated the unwavering resolve of the opposition coalition, operating under the ADC platform, to steadfastly resist what they perceive as moves by the APC to transform Nigeria into a one-party state, a concerning development for the future of democracy Nigeria.
Nwosu initially revealed his claims of being offered three ministerial slots by high-ranking government officials if he agreed to prevent the ADC from serving as a platform for the opposition coalition. Speaking at a critical NEC meeting that transitioned the ADC’s leadership, he highlighted efforts by “some people” to dissuade them with promises of automatic ministerial appointments, emphasizing the deep worry regarding the declining fortunes of Nigerian democracy and their determination to navigate the coalition process for the nation’s best interest.
Leave a Reply