The APC has dismissed allegations by the ADC, urging the opposition party to resolve its internal crisis instead of blaming President Tinubu and INEC over leadership disputes ahead of 2027 elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to resolve its internal crisis and stop blaming it or President Bola Tinubu.
The APC gave the advice on Friday at a news conference in Abuja addressed by its National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, and National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
The ADC had alleged that Tinubu was weakening opposition parties to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general election. It also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of unlawfully derecognising its David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC claimed the commission misinterpreted a Court of Appeal order directing parties to maintain the status quo, further accusing INEC of partisanship and contempt while calling for the removal of its chairman and commissioners.
Responding, Basiru described the allegations as baseless, saying the facts were clear to Nigerians and the international community. He urged the ADC to accept responsibility, noting that blaming others would not resolve its internal leadership disputes.
“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,” Basiru said.
He cited the APC’s loss of seats in Zamfara due to internal crisis as an example of the rule of law at work.
“No outrage, no conspiracy theories, just consequences of failing to put your house in order,” he said.
Basiru dismissed claims that Tinubu sought to impose a one-party state, noting that Nigeria still has 22 registered political parties.
“President Tinubu has no power to deregister any political party,” he said.
He blamed the ADC’s crisis on lack of internal democracy and disregard for court orders, adding that the dispute began when a Mark-led group allegedly took over party leadership without involving all stakeholders.
According to him, this triggered litigation at the Federal High Court and an adverse Court of Appeal judgment, after which INEC declined to recognise either faction pending the court’s final determination.
“The ADC made a fundamental legal mistake by approaching the Court of Appeal during an ongoing trial,” he said.
Basiru said INEC acted within the court’s directive, questioning why Tinubu was being blamed.
“David Mark’s appeal was dismissed, with an order to maintain status quo and costs awarded against him. Where does President Tinubu feature in this, if not malicious propaganda?” he asked.
He advised the ADC faction to seek redress in court if dissatisfied with INEC’s interpretation, noting that the commission had stated it was acting in line with maintaining the status quo ante bellum.
Basiru warned against defying court orders, describing such actions as reckless and irresponsible, particularly plans to proceed with congresses despite a pending court case challenging the leadership.
“Such defiance undermines institutions and due process,” he said, adding that any unlawful actions later nullified by courts should not be blamed on APC or Tinubu. He recalled that APC once halted its Ondo congresses in compliance with a court order.
Basiru also described the ADC’s call for the removal of INEC leadership as a misunderstanding of constitutional processes.
“As experienced politicians, they should understand how appointments and tenure in INEC are governed,” he said.
He noted that decisions within INEC are collective, not made by the chairman alone, adding that it was “preposterous” to demand removal of the chairman and commissioners.
Basiru further questioned ADC’s claim to opposition leadership, citing what he described as poor electoral performance, including failure to win seats in recent FCT council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano.
“Opposition leadership is earned through electoral credibility and public trust, not rhetoric,” he said.
He stressed that the APC was not defending INEC but responding to what it termed unfounded allegations.
Morka also stated that APC had no role in the ADC’s crisis and no obligation to resolve its internal issues.
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