BY Afrilens News
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ladan Salihu, has declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will fail the test of integrity and credibility in the 2027 general elections, citing widespread public dissatisfaction with the current administration.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, Salihu delivered a blunt assessment of the government led by Bola Tinubu, arguing that rising anger and frustration among Nigerians would ultimately translate into electoral consequences.
“When it comes to credible elections and elections that are based on integrity, this government will fail the integrity and credibility test at the polls. This government will not measure up with the anger and the frustrations of the Nigerian people,” he said.
Salihu also renewed calls for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, accusing him of lacking both integrity and competence. He described the electoral umpire as unfit to oversee elections in a country of over 200 million people.
“Amupitan should resign or should be removed because in public service today, Amupitan to me is the number one persona non grata,” he said. “By his actions, his utterances and the way he conducts government business, he scandalises every person that has integrity in Nigeria.”
INEC, however, has consistently denied such allegations, maintaining that its leadership remains neutral and committed to credible electoral processes.
On whether the ADC would boycott the 2027 elections if the INEC chairman remains in office, Salihu stopped short of a firm position, noting that the party would decide at the appropriate time.
“The election is our own constitutional responsibility as the leading opposition movement. When we get to that stage, we will make a decision about it,” he stated, while warning that pressure for Amupitan’s removal would intensify.
Despite the APC’s dominance—controlling a majority of states and the National Assembly—Salihu insisted that the ruling party lacks grassroots support.
“They have 31 governors, they have control of the Senate and the House, but they don’t have control of the people,” he added.
The remarks come amid increasing political realignments and rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties seeking to consolidate support against the APC’s entrenched structure.
Analysts say such statements could heighten political tensions and deepen scrutiny of electoral institutions, particularly INEC, as stakeholders push for reforms to strengthen transparency and public trust. If the opposition sustains its campaign narrative, it may influence voter sentiment, shape alliances, and potentially trigger institutional reforms or political confrontations in the lead-up to the polls.
