The founder and pioneer chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Ralph Nwosu, has declared that no form of inducement or political pressure from the present administration will stop the party from building a strong opposition coalition.

Nwosu, who spoke during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, accused the Federal Government of trying to frustrate the ADC’s efforts through offers of political appointments and internal sabotage.

He said, “No inducement can stop ADC. As a matter of fact, what I did at our NEC meeting was to send a signal so that the presidency and our people pretending to be democrats who are on the other side, to be careful. Because they are ruining our system, and we have struggled for that.”

When asked to explain what kind of inducements had been offered, Nwosu alleged that representatives of the presidency had approached him with offers, including ministerial appointments.

“I sent the last signal to them and so on… What I’ve said wouldn’t be new to any national party chairman, as I speak to you today… I just deliberately sent that signal. And if they don’t stay off, we are compelling them,” he said.

Though he refused to name individuals behind the alleged offers, Nwosu said, “I have a call and I have meetings, and not only here in Nigeria. A couple of days.”

When pressed, he responded, “No, I will not.”

In reaction to the denial from Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication, Nwosu maintained that government-backed elements were actively working against the ADC from within.

He further claimed that these individuals, allegedly acting as saboteurs, had filed court cases aimed at halting the coalition’s progress.

“They have used them to go to court to say that they don’t agree with the things we’re doing, therefore, it should be stopped. And they are being protected. We have pictures and we know where they are,” Nwosu stated.

He also accused them of benefiting from state resources, saying, “They are now riding on SUV vehicles and they’re staying in luxurious hotels. We cannot afford that. Even me, you know, who until yesterday officially was the chairman, I can’t afford that.”

Lamenting what he described as the ruling APC’s refusal to play fair, Nwosu said, “There are people in APC who feel that if we offer this, and they feel it’s too small, we just up it… But this time they failed.”