ADC’s Troubles Self-Inflicted, Says APC

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark that President Bola Tinubu was plotting a one-party state in collusion with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Addressing a press conference on Friday, the APC said the allegations were unfounded and a distortion of legal and political realities.

The APC maintained that the challenges facing the ADC stem from internal leadership conflicts rather than external interference.

According to the ruling party, the crisis originated from an “untidy” leadership takeover that excluded key stakeholders and triggered litigation at the Federal High Court.

It noted that the matter escalated to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, where the faction’s appeal was dismissed.

The appellate court ruled that the appeal was procedurally flawed. It cited absence of required leave for an interlocutory appeal and premature filing while jurisdictional issues remained unresolved at the lower court.

The court subsequently ordered all parties to maintain status quo and refrain from actions that could prejudice the ongoing case, while also awarding costs against the appellants.

Responding to allegations of bias and contempt of court, the APC defended INEC, saying the commission merely implemented the court’s directive.

The party argued that INEC’s decision not to recognize any factional leadership of the ADC pending the resolution of the case aligns with the court’s instruction to maintain the status quo. It added that any grievances regarding interpretation of the ruling should be addressed through legal channels, rather than public denunciations.

The APC further criticized calls for removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners, describing such demands as unconstitutional and indicative of a lack of understanding of institutional processes.

The ruling party also expressed concern over the ADC faction’s insistence on proceeding with planned congresses and conventions despite ongoing litigation and subsisting court orders.

It described such actions as a “clear disregard for the rule of law,” warning that any steps taken in defiance of judicial directives could be nullified by the courts.

According to the APC, the faction’s posture amounts to “self-help” and undermines democratic norms, particularly given the explicit directive of the appellate court to avoid actions capable of rendering the trial proceedings nugatory.

On claims that the Tinubu administration is weakening opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, the APC dismissed the assertion as “fallacious propaganda.”

The party noted that Nigeria currently has 19 registered political parties, emphasising that the president lacks constitutional powers to deregister any political party. It argued that the ADC’s internal instability, rather than external suppression, explains its current predicament.

The APC also questioned the electoral relevance of the coalition, citing what it described as poor performance in recent elections, including local government polls in the Federal Capital Territory.

The party urged the ADC to address its internal issues, the APC said persistent leadership crises cannot be resolved through allegations against other parties or institutions.

It referenced past political precedents, including electoral losses arising from internal disputes in other parties, as evidence that the rule of law, not political interference, often determines such outcomes.

“The leadership of the opposition is not declared through rhetoric but earned through electoral credibility and public trust,” the APC stated.