The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly retract his controversial “All Is Fair in Politics” remark, warning that such rhetoric fuels political division, emboldens thugs and poses a grave threat to the nation’s peace and stability.
The ADC-PCC also expressed concern over what it described as the President’s disturbing silence on the conduct of some APC governors and party chieftains who have openly made inflammatory statements and allegedly encouraged political violence.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the ADC-PCC urged President Tinubu to rise above partisan interests and demonstrate the statesmanship expected of a national leader, citing former President Goodluck Jonathan’s unequivocal declaration that no presidential ambition was worth the blood of any Nigerian.
The Council described as shocking the President’s failure to condemn the growing wave of political violence, noting that, through his spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency had instead chosen to caution opposition parties while shielding those allegedly responsible for violence within the ruling APC.
“President Tinubu cannot claim to desire peace when his own words provide cover for violence.
“‘All Is Fair in Politics’ is not the language of a Head of State. It is the language of political desperation and an open licence for thuggery, ballot snatching, intimidation and bloodshed.
“From Edo to Cross River, Gombe to Lagos, and Kebbi to Kaduna, Nigerians have witnessed attacks on opposition gatherings, destruction of campaign materials and the brutalisation of innocent supporters, allegedly by APC-sponsored thugs.
“Yet, Mr. President has not considered it necessary to call his governors and party members to order.
“Instead, the Presidency has resorted to diversionary tactics, blaming victims and preaching restraint to the opposition while members of the ruling party are accused of unleashing violence across the country,” the statement said.
The ADC-PCC challenged President Tinubu to explain why his condemnation of political violence appears directed at the opposition rather than members of his own party.
It asked: “Why has Mr. President refused to condemn APC governors who openly threaten opposition supporters? Why has he remained silent over public incitement by officials of his party? Why is his anger always directed at the opposition and never at those within his own political fold?”
The Council maintained that the ADC remains committed to peaceful, issue-based political engagement, insisting that its campaign is focused on addressing the country’s pressing challenges, including hunger, insecurity, unemployment, corruption and what it described as the failures of the Tinubu administration.
It accused the APC of resorting to violence because it had little to offer Nigerians in terms of credible solutions to the country’s problems.
Consequently, the ADC-PCC demanded that President Tinubu immediately and publicly withdraw his “All Is Fair in Politics” remark, condemn and call to order APC governors and party officials accused of inciting violence, and direct security agencies to protect all Nigerians impartially rather than allow them to become instruments of intimidation and oppression against opposition parties.
” Nigeria belongs to all of us. No political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.
“If former President Goodluck Jonathan could make that profound declaration in 2015, President Tinubu has no excuse not to say so and demonstrate the sincerity of his commitment to peace in 2026.
“The ADC will not be intimidated. We will continue to campaign peacefully, and in 2027, Nigerians will have the opportunity to vote for competence, integrity and a new beginning,” the statement added.
