Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has alleged that there is a fresh plot involving the Presidency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and elements within the judiciary to remove the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the ballot ahead of the 2027 general election.

Frank, who made the allegation in a statement on Monday, warned that any attempt to exclude the ADC and its presumed presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from the election would amount to an assault on democracy capable of plunging the country into chaos and anarchy.

According to him, credible information available to him indicates that the ADC has become the principal target of a coordinated plan aimed at weakening the opposition and entrenching a one-party state.

He alleged that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was merely being used as a decoy while the real objective was to prevent the ADC and Atiku from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

“We have been reliably informed of a fresh plot to use the judiciary and INEC to remove the ADC from the ballot in 2027. The ADC has always been the main target, while the NDC is merely being used as a decoy,” Frank said. He further claimed that the information was passed to him by a senior source within the Presidency who, according to him, expressed concern over the implications of such a move and the damage it could do to Nigeria’s democratic image.

Frank, who serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, alleging that a “dangerous agenda” was being perfected to silence opposition parties and manipulate the 2027 general election. He also appealed to the international community, particularly the United States Government, to intervene and help prevent what he described as an impending democratic crisis in Nigeria.

According to Frank, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has abandoned democratic norms and is allegedly deploying state institutions to weaken opposition parties, especially the ADC.

“I call on the international community, especially the United States Government, to intervene and ensure that Nigeria does not descend into crisis because of the desperation of those in power,” he said.

Frank further warned INEC and the judiciary against becoming “accomplices” in what he described as an anti-democratic plot, saying Nigerians, the international community and posterity would hold them accountable for their actions.

He also claimed that those allegedly behind the plot within the Presidency were known to him and would be exposed to the international community.The former APC spokesman called on Nigerians, political leaders, civil society organisations and other democratic stakeholders to unite in defence of the country’s democracy.

He also urged opposition leaders and presidential hopefuls to set aside their differences and work together to resist what he described as an attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

“If we fail to act now, we may all have to deal with the grave consequences of our silence and inaction. Nigeria’s democracy must not be disrupted by the desperation of a few individuals who are determined to hold on to power at all costs,” he said.

Neither the Presidency, INEC nor the judiciary had responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report. (Guardian)

Update news