The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dayo Israel, has accused elements of the opposition of orchestrating what he described as a sustained campaign of intimidation against President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and their supporters….
The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Dayo Israel, has accused elements of the opposition of orchestrating what he described as a sustained campaign of intimidation against President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and their supporters.
Israel said political disagreements had increasingly translated into online harassment and physical confrontations targeting individuals who openly identify with or support the President’s administration.
In a statement, the APC youth leader cited the confrontation involving the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, in London on Thursday, November 12, as an example of what he described as targeted intimidation.
Amupitan had addressed an event at Chatham House on preparations for the 2027 general elections before protesters reportedly surrounded his vehicle, shouted at him and demanded his resignation.
The protesters accused INEC of bias in favour of President Tinubu and the APC, raising concerns about issues surrounding the preliminary voters’ register.
Israel alleged that some of the protesters were associated with the Obidient movement, adding that a UK-based Nigerian lawyer who witnessed the incident described the group as comprising between 10 and 15 people.
He also cited allegations that some protesters had been paid to stage the confrontation, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
The APC youth leader said the incident was an attempt to intimidate an independent electoral institution and warned against actions capable of undermining confidence in democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also referenced the disturbance that followed Tinubu’s Juma’at prayers at the Shehu Shagari Central Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja, on Friday, November 13.
According to Israel, some youths threw stones and chanted rejection slogans, while security operatives attached to the President’s convoy were targeted.
He accused opposition elements of using paid supporters to create an impression of widespread rejection of the President, but did not provide independent evidence for the allegation.
Israel further defended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, against what he described as attacks on her person and humanitarian initiatives.
He highlighted the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, claiming it had mobilised and deployed more than ₦100 billion over three years to support women entrepreneurs, widows of fallen security personnel, schoolgirls, disaster victims and vulnerable families across the country.
On the administration’s economic policies, Israel acknowledged the difficulties associated with the reforms but argued that they were laying the foundation for improved economic performance.
He pointed to improved foreign exchange liquidity and increased international spending limits on naira-denominated bank cards as indications of progress.
The APC youth leader maintained that Tinubu’s supporters had the constitutional right to defend the administration and campaign for his re-election in 2027.
He said no political group should monopolise democratic participation or prevent Nigerians from openly expressing support for their preferred candidates.
“Democracy is not the exclusive preserve of those who hate the President. Supporters of Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be intimidated,” he said.
Israel called for an end to online harassment and physical attacks against the President, the First Lady and their supporters, insisting that political disagreements should be addressed within the framework of the law.
He warned that the APC would continue to defend the President’s policies and democratic mandate, while urging opposition groups to respect the rights of Nigerians to support any political candidate of their choice.
