The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu, has disclosed that his party turned down substantial financial offers and ministerial appointments to abandon Nigeria’s opposition coalition.
Nwosu made this revelation on Tuesday during the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, describing attempts by unnamed individuals to derail the coalition through lucrative inducements.
The ADC leader revealed that he was specifically offered three ministerial slots as part of efforts to discourage the party’s participation in the opposition alliance, with the arrangement allowing him to retain one position while distributing the remaining two to his preferred candidates.
“Some people tried to discourage us with promises of automatic ministerial appointments. They wanted to give me three ministerial slots so that I can take one and give two to others that I choose. But I said no. I chose a democratic future for Nigeria,” Nwosu stated.
The party chairman criticized the transactional approach to Nigerian politics, where financial considerations often override democratic principles and national interests.
“Some politicians believe it’s all about money, and they will tell you, if you can’t get them with this amount of money, what you need is more money. But we in the ADC, especially the NWC members, said no. We rejected every offer, both in Nigeria and abroad, because we believe in the principles of democracy,” he declared.
Nwosu emphasized that the offers came from multiple sources, including international actors, suggesting widespread attempts to influence the opposition coalition’s formation and effectiveness.
The ADC chairman characterized the party’s role in establishing the broad opposition coalition on July 2 as a pivotal moment for Nigerian democracy, positioning the alliance as a crucial force for democratic renewal in the country.
He stressed that the coalition represents a genuine commitment to democratic values rather than personal or financial gain, distinguishing it from traditional political arrangements based on material incentives.
Nwosu issued a strong appeal to key national institutions to maintain their independence and commitment to democratic governance, warning that institutional weakness undermines the entire democratic framework.
“Each time democracy suffers, INEC goes down, the National Assembly goes down, and the value of Nigeria diminishes. Today, I call on the judiciary, INEC, and every institution in this country to stand up and be counted so that the democracy we’ve put back on track can move forward smoothly,” he warned.
The chairman specifically called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the judiciary, and the National Assembly to remain steadfast in defending democratic principles against external pressures and inducements.
His comments reflect growing concerns about institutional integrity and the influence of money in Nigerian politics, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
The revelation about rejected offers provides insight into the intense political maneuvering surrounding the formation of opposition coalitions and the pressures faced by political leaders to abandon principled positions for material benefits.
Nwosu’s disclosure also suggests that the ruling party or its allies may be actively working to fracture opposition unity through financial incentives, highlighting the challenges facing democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
The ADC chairman’s stance positions his party as committed to ideological consistency over personal gain, potentially appealing to voters seeking authentic political alternatives ahead of the next electoral cycle.
