ADC asks Tinubu to resign, urges NASS to probe federal appointments

● Alleges confusion over presidential appointments

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign if he is unable to assert control over his administration, while urging the National Assembly to investigate what it described as growing confusion surrounding federal appointments.

The opposition party made the call in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

The ADC alleged that recent developments indicated that President Tinubu had “lost control” of the Federal Government, citing the controversy surrounding the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) as evidence of what it described as a deeper constitutional concern.

According to the party, reports that an official allegedly removed by presidential directive continues to occupy the office and interact with senior government officials raise questions about who is exercising executive authority.

“If the reports concerning the Border Communities Development Agency are true, then this is no longer about one disputed appointment. It is about something far more disturbing: who is actually in charge of the Nigerian Presidency?” the statement said.

The party argued that where a presidential directive is allegedly ignored without consequence, the issue extends beyond administrative confusion to what it described as a struggle for control of the Presidency.

The ADC also referred to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), alleging that it continued to operate despite lacking official government recognition.

According to the party, the recurring controversies suggest that the Presidency is gradually losing control over its constitutional powers to appoint and remove public officials.

The ADC further criticised what it described as repeated policy reversals by the Tinubu administration, including the suspension of the cybersecurity levy and the withdrawal of the expatriate employment levy.

It argued that inconsistent government decisions weaken public confidence, create uncertainty for investors and undermine the effectiveness of public institutions.

The opposition party also questioned who was exercising the constitutional powers of the President, who authorised federal appointments, and who allegedly countermanded the President’s directive in the BCDA matter.

The ADC urged the National Assembly to exercise its oversight powers by investigating the appointment controversies and determining whether the President remains capable of personally discharging the constitutional responsibilities of his office.

According to the party, lawmakers should satisfy themselves that the constitutional powers vested in the President are being exercised by him and not by unelected individuals operating behind the scenes.

The ADC maintained that if President Tinubu is unable to assert control over his administration, “the honourable course” would be for him to resign.