The Presidency has denied claims by former African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, that the Tinubu administration offered him three ministerial slots to dissuade him from aligning the ADC with an emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, dismissed the allegation on Wednesday via a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, calling it “false and baseless.”
Nwosu, speaking during the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, alleged that unnamed senior government officials made the offer to discourage him from repositioning the ADC as a platform for key opposition figures.
In response, Bwala stated: “No government official, regardless of rank, can promise or grant ministerial slots but the President himself. If such a promise were ever made, it would have come directly from the President — and to Nwosu personally.”
He challenged Nwosu to name those he claimed made the offer, insisting that such serious allegations must be backed by specifics.
“The same courage he had to make the allegation should have been used to mention names and positions,” Bwala added, accusing the ADC of devolving into “an association of jesters.”
The ADC has recently gained attention as a rallying point for prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. Former Senate President David Mark was officially installed as the party’s new National Chairman at the same NEC meeting where the allegations were made.
Analysts say the ADC’s repositioning signals the early formation of a potential third-force alliance, which could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
As of press time, Chief Nwosu has not responded further or released evidence to support his claim.
