APC urges ADC to address internal crises instead of undermining institutions

All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to resolve its internal leadership disputes instead of undermining democratic institutions, insisting that the defiant actions of the David Mark-led faction, proceeding with party congresses amid ongoing litigation, amount to illegality and show a disregard for the rule of law.

The APC, through its National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, addressed what it described as “deliberate mischief and puerile propaganda” by the ADC leadership during a press conference held on Thursday, April 2, 2026. The party sought to clarify the record on several claims made by Senator Mark and his co-travellers, emphasizing that these allegations are baseless and designed to mislead Nigerians and the international community.

The David Mark faction had accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of deliberately weakening opposition parties to create a one-party state ahead of the 2027 elections, alleged that INEC misinterpreted a Court of Appeal order, and called for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners.

They also insisted that their July 2025 leadership remains valid and proceeded to plan party congresses and conventions despite ongoing litigation.

APC countered that President Tinubu has no authority to deregister or weaken opposition parties, noting that Nigeria currently has 19 registered political parties capable of contesting in 2027.

The party stressed that the legal challenges facing the ADC are a consequence of the faction’s procedural missteps, including a flawed appeal to the Court of Appeal, which was dismissed.

The court had ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum and awarded costs against the ADC faction.

“David Mark approached the Court of Appeal, and his appeal was dismissed as unmeritorious; the status quo was ordered to be maintained. In these circumstances, where does President Bola Tinubu feature in their predicament, if not outright fallacious and malicious propaganda?” the APC statement said.

The APC also criticized the ADC faction for claiming national opposition leadership despite poor electoral performance, including recent Local Government Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Leadership of the opposition is not declared through press conferences or rhetoric; it is earned through consistent electoral credibility and public trust,” the APC said.

APC highlighted that INEC’s actions were based on the Court of Appeal’s directive to maintain the status quo in the ADC leadership dispute. The party described the ADC faction’s refusal to comply with court directives as self-help and illegal.

“Insisting on proceeding with party congresses despite an ongoing case at the Federal High Court raises serious questions about their respect for legal processes. Their defiance signals a troubling disregard for institutions and due process, undermining any claim to democratic responsibility,” the statement said.

APC further dismissed calls from the ADC faction for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners as ill-informed, pointing out that appointments and decisions within INEC are governed by constitutional processes, not unilateral demands.

The party urged the ADC to address its leadership crises internally rather than blaming the ruling party.

“No amount of external finger-pointing can erase their consistent failures or resolve their lingering leadership issues. The ADC must come to terms with a hard truth: blaming other parties will not fix their internal crises,” APC said, drawing parallels with other political parties that have faced consequences of unresolved internal conflicts.

APC reiterated that the David Mark-led faction’s defiance of court orders and ongoing attempts to conduct party activities amid pending litigation constitute illegality.

The party warned that any consequences arising from these actions cannot be attributed to President Tinubu or the APC.

“We hope they will not come to tell Nigerians that the APC or President Bola Tinubu is weakening democracy, only to meet the consequences of their planned illegality,” the APC concluded.

The statement, signed by Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru on April 3, 2026, underscores the APC’s position that the rule of law must prevail and that internal party disputes must be resolved through due legal process, not public theatrics.