The ADC chieftain accuses the President of coercing Nigerians to secure his political ambitions, drawing parallels between Tinubu’s leadership and the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has accused President Bola Tinubu of exercising excessive control over Nigeria’s political institutions, likening his leadership style to that of the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Momodu alleged that Tinubu was coercing Nigerians in a bid to retain power, arguing that the President’s actions had surpassed those of Abacha, who ruled Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998.

The publisher and politician made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he criticised the Tinubu administration and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Momodu, the President’s approach to governance reflects what he described as a determination to consolidate power and compel political actors to align with his ambitions.

“Tinubu is doing exactly what Abacha did: coercing everyone because he wants to be President,” Momodu said.

He also questioned what Nigerians should expect from Tinubu and the APC, insisting that the President had gone beyond the excesses he attributed to Abacha’s military government.

“What else do you expect from Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress? President Tinubu has done far worse than what Abacha did,” he added.

Momodu further alleged that the President had extended his influence across the three arms of government, raising concerns about the independence of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“Tinubu has virtually taken over everything, including the executive, the legislature and the judiciary,” he said.

His comments reflect growing political criticism of the Tinubu administration from opposition figures, particularly over the balance of power and the independence of institutions under the current democratic system.

However, Momodu’s comparison of Tinubu with Abacha and his allegations of excessive presidential control represent his assessment of the administration. The remarks, as reported here, do not independently establish that the President has taken control of the legislature or judiciary.