ADC Aspirants Condemn Alleged Coercion of Civil Servants into APC, Call for INEC Probe

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

National and State Assembly aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have strongly condemned what they described as the coercion of Nigerian civil servants into aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the alleged practice poses a serious threat to democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the ADC’s spokesperson, Comrade Hon. Ezekiel Daniel Perela, the aspirants accused the APC of abusing state power and intimidating public servants rather than focusing on governance and economic recovery. They alleged that civil servants, who are constitutionally expected to remain politically neutral, are being pressured to join the ruling party.

The ADC aspirants described the alleged actions as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and morally bankrupt”, arguing that compelling public servants to affiliate with a political party undermines the integrity of the civil service and erodes public trust in governance. According to the statement, such practices signal desperation within the ruling party in the face of growing public dissatisfaction.

The opposition group linked the alleged intimidation to what it termed the APC’s record of poor governance, citing worsening economic conditions and rising poverty levels across the country. Referencing a World Bank report dated 30 January 2026, the ADC claimed that at least 50 million Nigerians have been pushed into poverty under the current administration, attributing the situation to policy failures, wasteful governance and insensitivity to citizens’ suffering.

The statement also highlighted Nigeria’s economic decline, noting that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reportedly stood at about $500 billion before the APC assumed power in 2015 but has since fallen to approximately $188 billion. The ADC attributed the decline to weak economic policies, the depreciation of the naira, business closures and widespread loss of livelihoods.

Calling for urgent intervention, the aspirants urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant oversight institutions to investigate the alleged coercion. They warned that failure to act would amount to complicity and could undermine free choice and fair political competition.

“Nigeria’s democracy must not be held hostage by a ruling party determined to cling to power by all means necessary,” the statement read, stressing that civil servants must be protected from political intimidation and elections must be conducted without fear or coercion.

The ADC reaffirmed its commitment to what it described as the Nigerian people’s struggle for freedom, accountability, economic justice and a truly democratic society, insisting that the protection of civil liberties and democratic norms remains central to the country’s stability and future.