APC TO ADC: YOUR DEFIANT STANCE CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF THE LAW
Read Time:2 Minute, 11 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee has addressed what it calls the “baseless allegations” made by the Senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a press conference on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
APC described the claims as deliberate mischief and propaganda by Mark and his associates, who presented themselves as a “coalition politician.” The party outlined the key allegations from the ADC press briefing, including:
- That President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is intentionally weakening opposition parties to create a one-party state ahead of the 2027 elections.
- That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acted unlawfully in withdrawing recognition of the Mark-led ADC leadership, allegedly misinterpreting a Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo.
- Accusations that INEC is partisan and in contempt of court, coupled with calls for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners.
- Insistence that the ADC’s July 2025 leadership remains valid and continuation of party activities.
- Warnings of a perceived threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
APC Rebuttal
In response, the APC dismissed these claims as false and misleading. The party emphasized that:
- President Tinubu has no power to deregister political parties; Nigeria currently has 19 registered parties eligible to compete in 2027.
- The current leadership dispute within ADC stems from internal hijacking of the party and unresolved court litigation. The Court of Appeal dismissed the Mark faction’s appeal, ordering all parties to maintain the status quo, and awarding costs against them. APC questioned how this could be linked to President Tinubu weakening opposition.
- The Mark-led ADC’s insistence on continuing party congresses and conventions despite ongoing court cases reflects a disregard for due legal process and constitutes illegality.
- Allegations of INEC bias are unfounded; the commission acted in line with the Court of Appeal’s directives. Calls for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners were described as “preposterous and undemocratic.”
- APC argued that opposition credibility is earned through consistent electoral performance, which the Mark faction has failed to demonstrate in recent elections.
APC’s Position on Accountability
The party warned the ADC faction to address its internal challenges rather than blaming external actors, stressing that ignoring the rule of law would carry legal consequences. APC highlighted that leadership disputes should be resolved through the courts, not press conferences or political theatrics.
In conclusion, APC maintains that the actions of the Mark-led ADC leadership amount to defiance of judicial orders, illegality, and a lack of democratic responsibility, and urged the public and international community to recognize the distinction between procedural compliance and partisan claims.
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