The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by David Mark, describing them as “baseless,” “misleading,” and an attempt to divert attention from internal party crises.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, said the opposition figures were engaging in “puerile propaganda” following what he described as an unfavorable legal outcome at the Court of Appeal.
The ADC faction had, during a press briefing on April 2, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of deliberately weakening opposition parties to pave the way for a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections. They also alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) acted unlawfully by withdrawing recognition of their leadership and accused the commission of partisanship.
However, the APC rejected the claims, insisting that Nigeria’s multiparty system remains intact, with 19 registered political parties capable of contesting elections.
Basiru argued that the crisis within the ADC stemmed from internal leadership disputes and procedural missteps, not external interference. According to him, the faction led by Mark mishandled its legal challenge by approaching the appellate court prematurely while key issues, including jurisdiction, were still pending at the trial court.
He explained that the Court of Appeal dismissed the faction’s appeal and directed all parties to maintain the “status quo ante bellum” pending the determination of the substantive suit at the Federal High Court. INEC’s decision, he added, was in compliance with that directive.
“The question Nigerians must ask is: where does President Tinubu feature in this matter?” Basiru said, describing the allegations against the president as “fallacious and malicious propaganda.”
The APC further criticized the ADC faction’s insistence on proceeding with planned congresses and conventions despite ongoing litigation, warning that such actions amount to defiance of court orders and disregard for the rule of law.
“It is settled law that court decisions are binding until set aside. Their refusal to comply demonstrates a troubling disregard for democratic norms,” the APC stated.
The ruling party also faulted calls by the ADC faction for the removal of INEC’s chairman and national commissioners, describing the demand as “preposterous” and indicative of a lack of understanding of constitutional processes.
On claims of emerging opposition strength, the APC said leadership of the opposition cannot be declared through press conferences but must be earned through electoral performance. It noted that the ADC coalition had performed poorly in recent elections, including local government polls in the Federal Capital Territory.
The party urged the ADC to resolve its internal issues rather than resort to blaming external actors, drawing parallels with its own past experience in Zamfara State, where internal conflicts led to electoral losses that were widely accepted as consequences of legal and procedural failures.
The APC maintained that any fallout from the ADC’s actions would be the result of its own decisions and not evidence of attempts by the ruling party or the presidency to undermine democracy.
The statement underscores growing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition landscape as political parties begin early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.