The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to focus on resolving its internal leadership problems rather than blaming President Bola Tinubu or the ruling party.
The APC made this position known on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, addressed by its National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, alongside the party’s Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
This comes after the ADC accused President Tinubu of attempting to weaken opposition parties as part of a plan to create a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections. The opposition party also alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unfairly withdrew recognition from its faction led by David Mark.
The ADC further claimed that INEC misinterpreted a directive from the Court of Appeal, which ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, and accused the commission of bias and contempt, even calling for the removal of its leadership.
But responding to these allegations, Basiru dismissed them as unfounded, insisting that both Nigerians and the international community can clearly see the facts.
He urged the ADC to take responsibility for its challenges, stressing that shifting blame would not resolve its internal disputes.
According to him, no amount of finger-pointing can fix what he described as persistent leadership failures within the party.
Basiru pointed to the APC’s own experience in Zamfara State, where the party lost electoral positions due to internal issues, saying it was a clear example of the consequences of failing to comply with the law.
“There were no conspiracy theories, just the outcome of not putting our house in order,” he said.
He also rejected claims that President Tinubu is pushing for a one-party system, noting that Nigeria still has over 20 registered political parties.
“President Tinubu does not have the constitutional power to deregister any political party,” Basiru added.
The APC attributed the ADC’s current crisis to a lack of internal democracy and alleged disregard for due process, claiming the dispute began when a faction led by David Mark attempted to take control of the party without broad consultation.
This, Basiru said, led to legal battles at the Federal High Court and eventually to an unfavourable ruling at the Court of Appeal.
He explained that INEC’s decision not to recognise either faction was in line with the court’s directive to maintain the status quo.
Basiru also criticised the ADC for approaching the Court of Appeal while the matter was still pending at the lower court, describing it as a legal misstep.
He questioned why the president was being dragged into the matter, especially after the appeal by David Mark was dismissed with costs awarded against him.
“If they are dissatisfied with INEC’s interpretation, they should return to court,” he advised.
Basiru warned against any attempt to ignore court orders, calling such actions reckless and harmful to democratic institutions. He specifically criticised plans by the ADC to go ahead with its congresses despite ongoing litigation over its leadership.
He cautioned that any decisions later nullified by the courts should not be blamed on the APC or the president.
Drawing from past experience, Basiru recalled how the APC once suspended its congresses in Ondo State in compliance with a court order, urging the ADC to follow due process.
He also described calls for the removal of INEC’s leadership as a misunderstanding of constitutional procedures, noting that decisions within the commission are collective, not solely made by its chairman.
“It is unrealistic to demand the removal of the chairman and commissioners,” he said.
Basiru further questioned the ADC’s claim to opposition leadership, pointing to its poor performance in recent elections, including council polls in the FCT and by-elections in Rivers and Kano.
He stressed that leadership of the opposition is earned through electoral success and public trust not mere rhetoric.
In his remarks, Morka added that the APC has no involvement in the ADC’s internal crisis and bears no responsibility for resolving it.
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