By Lawrence Agbo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ladan Salihu, has said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government will face voters’ anger and fail the credibility test in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Salihu argued that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would be unable to withstand the growing frustration among Nigerians at the polls.

“When it comes to credible elections and elections that are based on integrity, this government will fail the integrity and credibility test at the polls,” he said.

He maintained that the credibility of the electoral process under the current government would be called into question, insisting that public discontent would ultimately shape the outcome of the election.

“This government will not measure up with the anger and the frustrations of the Nigerian people,” Salihu added.

Salihu also renewed calls for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over alleged bias. He accused the electoral umpire of failing to demonstrate neutrality and competence, claims the commission has denied.

“Amupitan should resign or should be removed because in public service today, Amupitan to me is the number one persona non grata because he has failed the integrity test, he has failed the competency test, he has not presented himself as that impartial, credible umpire that can give Nigeria, a nation of 250 million people, an election to celebrate.

“Because by his actions, his utterances and the way he conducts government business, he scandalises every person that has integrity in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, Amupitan has lost the confidence of both the opposition and many Nigerians, warning that the ADC and other opposition forces would intensify efforts to push for his removal ahead of the elections.

On whether the party would boycott the polls if the INEC chairman remains in office, Salihu said the ADC would take a position when the time comes, stressing that participation in elections remains a constitutional responsibility.

“The election is our own constitutional responsibility as the leading opposition movement. When we get to that stage, we will make a decision about it,” he said.

He further claimed that despite controlling 31 states and holding a majority in the National Assembly, the APC is unsettled by the opposition’s growing momentum.

“When the 2023 elections were held, we had 23 governors that the APC won. They had to intimidate, harass and coerce other governors. Now they are 31 and they are still afraid. They have 31 governors, they have control of the Senate and the House, but they don’t have control of the people,” he said.

Salihu expressed optimism that the ADC would emerge victorious in 2027, citing widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s performance.