The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the presidency over its reaction to comments by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, urging the government to exercise restraint and avoid resorting to insults in political exchanges.
The party’s response followed remarks attributed to the presidency concerning Mr Atiku, who has emerged as one of the leading opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC said political disagreements should be handled with decorum, arguing that criticism from opposition figures should not be met with personal attacks or inflammatory language.
“Take it easy, no insults,” the party said, calling for a more civil political discourse as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The development comes amid growing political realignments among opposition parties, with the ADC positioning itself as a platform for politicians seeking an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has remained a prominent voice in the opposition and has repeatedly criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over its policies and handling of the country’s economic challenges.
The presidency has, in turn, defended the administration’s record and pushed back against criticism from opposition figures.
With the 2027 elections approaching, exchanges between the government and opposition are expected to intensify, raising concerns over the tone of political debate and the need for issue-based campaigns.
