Atiku Aide Paul Ibeh Accuses Tinubu and INEC of Orchestrating Opposition Collapse Amid ADC Dispute

Paul Ibeh accuses President Tinubu and INEC of conspiring to destroy Nigeria's opposition via the ADC leadership crisis. Read the full editorial here.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 8:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

Allegations of Executive Interference in Party Structures

The Nigerian political landscape faced fresh turmoil on Tuesday as Paul Ibeh, a prominent aide to Atiku Abubakar, leveled serious charges against the Presidency and the Independent National Electoral Commission. Ibeh alleges that the current administration is actively working to dismantle opposition parties by interfering in their internal leadership structures. This development highlights a deepening rift between the executive branch and rival political factions, as critics argue that such maneuvers threaten the foundational stability of the nation’s multi party system.

The African Democratic Congress Leadership Crisis

At the center of the controversy is a fractured African Democratic Congress, which has seen its internal hierarchy challenged by competing factions. Ibeh’s remarks were specifically triggered by recent updates regarding the party's chairmanship, involving Nafiu Bala and a faction previously associated with former Senate President David Mark. The dispute has effectively frozen the party's official recognition, creating a vacuum that Ibeh claims is being exploited by external political interests to install favorable leadership.

Contradictions in Electoral Commission Conduct

A primary point of Ibeh's critique involves the perceived inconsistency in the actions of the electoral commission, led by Chairman Amupitan. The aide pointed out that the commission had previously filed legal processes to challenge the eligibility of Nafiu Bala for the chairmanship. Ibeh questioned the sudden shift in the commission's stance, suggesting that the change was influenced by the Presidency rather than legal merit. This perceived reversal has fueled suspicions of a coordinated effort between the government and the electoral umpire.