The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected what it described as “baseless allegations” by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark, accusing them of spreading misinformation and disregarding due legal process.
At a press conference held on Friday, the APC said claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is weakening opposition parties to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 elections are unfounded. The party noted that Nigeria currently has 19 registered political parties, stressing that the President has no constitutional power to deregister any party.
ADC Crisis Rooted in Internal Disputes – APC
The APC attributed the ADC’s current challenges to internal leadership disputes, which it said led to litigation at the Federal High Court and subsequent rulings at the Court of Appeal. According to the ruling party, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the Mark-led faction and directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive case.
It explained that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acted in compliance with the court order by withholding recognition of any faction of the ADC leadership until the matter is resolved.
APC Defends INEC, Faults Call for Sack of Chairman
The party also defended the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), rejecting accusations of bias and contempt of court. It described calls for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners as “misguided” and indicative of a lack of understanding of constitutional procedures.
The APC maintained that INEC’s position aligns with the directive of the Court of Appeal to preserve the status quo and avoid actions that could prejudice ongoing judicial proceedings.
Warning Against Defiance of Court Orders
Reacting to the ADC faction’s insistence on proceeding with planned congresses and a national convention, the APC warned that such actions could amount to a violation of court orders. It stressed that judicial decisions remain binding until set aside by a competent court.
The party accused the Mark-led faction of showing “disregard for the rule of law” and cautioned that any actions taken in defiance of pending litigation could be declared null and void.
APC Urges ADC to Resolve Internal Issues
The APC further advised the ADC to address its internal leadership crisis instead of blaming external forces. It cited past political developments, including electoral losses linked to internal disputes, as evidence that failure to resolve party conflicts can have legal and political consequences.
The statement was signed by APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, who reiterated the party’s commitment to democratic processes and the rule of law.
