It was a line dropped into Nigeria’s political discourse that sounded simple, but carried a punch: “You are a one-term president; stop plotting to stay.” Coming from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), this warning to President Bola Tinubu wasn’t just another opposition soundbite—it signaled a deeper tension: who controls the rules, who bends them, and how far incumbents might go to cling to power.
For many Nigerians, especially those tired of economic hardship, insecurity, inflation, and political back-and-forth, this statement resonated more than most speeches.
It tapped into an unease: the fear that democracy in Nigeria is more fragile than we admit. ADC’s charge isn’t just about ambition—it’s about what those ambitions might cost the country.
What ADC Says vs What Bases They Claim
ADC alleges that Tinubu and the ruling APC are laying the groundwork for staying in power beyond constitutional limits. They argue that early endorsements, widespread political positioning, preparations, and certain policy initiatives indicate a plot for a second term—even before any formal campaign.
The party has pointed to the use of state resources, political appointments, infrastructure naming, and media presence as moves to build influence and political visibility for 2027, allegedly at the expense of urgent governance.
They accuse the APC of violating electoral norms (for example, campaigning too early, “choreographed endorsements”) and using hardship among citizens as political leverage.
More Than A Statement
1. Constitutional Limitation of Terms
Nigeria’s constitution limits presidents to two terms. If the ADC’s fears are true, attempting to stay in power beyond that would directly challenge the rule of law. Even the perception of trying to stay indefinitely undermines trust in democratic institutions.
2. Precedent & Norms Matter
When one administration tries to subtly stretch influence beyond its tenure through endorsements, infrastructure renaming, or political influence, it affects what comes next. Norms of fairness, peaceful transfer of power, and electoral competitiveness are part of what keeps democracy stable.
3. Legal & Political Gray Areas
There might not yet be laws explicitly broken—but political moves often happen in the gray zones: interpreting constitutional clauses, leveraging party rules, influencing appointment of electoral bodies etc. ADC’s allegation forces questions: where does legitimate political strategy end and democratic overreach begin?
4. Public Sentiment & Legitimacy
Nigerians are feeling hardship: inflation, insecurity, cost of living. When political actors focus on power rather than responsive governance, citizens grow cynical. If people believe a president is plotting to stay, it may reduce trust, increase unrest or apathy.
Democracy’s Fault Lines Growing
ADC’s warning—“You are a one-term president; stop plotting to stay”—is more than opposition bravado. It is a symptom of deeper anxiety in Nigeria: that the rules, once respected, might start bending under political pressure. It asks the question: who decides how far power can stretch?
If democracy is more than just voting every four years, then what happens between elections – how political culture shapes itself – matters.
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When incumbents face temptation to extend influence or reshape norms to stay, societies must guard the integrity of their institutions.
Because once norms are broken, they are hard to rebuild. The integrity of presidency, term limits, fair competition – those are fragile.
ADC is pointing at something many feel. It’s up to Nigerian institutions – courts, INEC, civil society, media – not to let the alarm fall on deaf ears.
