- APC dismisses ADC’s allegations of one-party state plot
- ADC crisis arose from internal leadership disputes and court litigation
- APC urges ADC to pursue legal redress and stop blaming Tinubu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to resolve its internal leadership crisis and stop blaming the party or President Bola Tinubu for its challenges.
The advice was given on Friday at a news conference in Abuja, addressed by APC National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, and Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. The ADC had accused President Tinubu of weakening opposition parties to create a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general election. The party also alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unlawfully derecognised its David Mark-led leadership.
Responding, Basiru described the allegations as baseless, stressing that the facts are clear to Nigerians and the international community. He urged ADC to accept responsibility for its internal disputes rather than blaming others. “No amount of external finger-pointing can erase their consistent failures or resolve their lingering leadership issues. It is wishful thinking to expect other parties to rescue it from problems it has repeatedly failed to manage,” he said.
Basiru highlighted that the APC itself had faced setbacks in Zamfara State due to internal crisis, emphasizing that legal and electoral consequences arise from failing to properly manage party affairs. He dismissed claims that President Tinubu sought to establish a one-party state, noting that Nigeria currently has 22 registered political parties and that Tinubu has no power to deregister any of them.
The APC official explained that the ADC crisis arose when the Mark-led faction allegedly took over party leadership without consulting all stakeholders, triggering litigation at the Federal High Court and a subsequent Court of Appeal ruling. INEC, he said, acted in line with court directives by not recognising any faction until the case is concluded.
“The ADC made a fundamental legal mistake by approaching the Court of Appeal during an ongoing trial,” Basiru added. He also criticised plans to conduct congresses while the matter remains in court, warning that such actions undermine institutions and due process.
Basiru emphasised that INEC’s decisions are collective, not the responsibility of the chairman alone, and dismissed calls for the removal of INEC leadership as a misunderstanding of constitutional processes. He also questioned ADC’s claim to opposition leadership, citing poor electoral performance in recent FCT council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano.
Morka added that APC had no role in ADC’s internal crisis and no obligation to resolve its disputes. The party urged ADC leaders to pursue redress through proper legal channels and comply with court orders.