President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred political controversy after describing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a “coalition of confusion,” during the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The President, speaking shortly after Professor Nentawe Yilwatda emerged as the new APC National Chairman, took a swipe at the ADC, a party that has recently attracted backing from prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party leader Peter Obi.

In a remark widely seen as a jab at opposition unity efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, Tinubu said:

“It’s not a bad idea to abandon a sinking ship and be absent from a coalition of confusion.”

The comment has triggered swift backlash from opposition parties and political stakeholders.

ADC, CUPP, and Atiku’s Camp Respond

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a strongly worded statement, dismissed Tinubu’s comment as “a panicked response from a President witnessing the beginning of a new political alignment that threatens his party’s future.”

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also condemned the President’s remarks, describing them as “undignified and unbecoming of a leader expected to uphold democratic plurality and freedom of association.”

Mr. Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accused Tinubu of being jittery over growing opposition momentum.

“President Tinubu should be more concerned about Nigeria’s economic hardship than mocking the coalition of parties offering Nigerians an alternative,” Ibe said in a media statement.