APC Tells ADC to Fix Its Internal Crisis

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again denied claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that it is behind the party’s ongoing dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and urged it to resolve its leadership crisis.

“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,” said Basiru.

“No outrage, no conspiracy theories, just consequences of failing to put your house in order. President Tinubu has no power to deregister any political party.”

APC’s National Secretary,  Ajibola Basiru, and Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the statement at a news conference in Abuja.

The ADC has been facing a leadership tussle between factions: one led by Mark and another rival faction that claims to lead the party. A Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute said the party should maintain the status quo ante bellum, which means the situation as it was before the case began, while the matter continues in a lower court.

Nigeria’s electoral umpire announced on Wednesday that it would cease to recognise the former senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and that of Nafiu Bala, who claims he ought to be the party’s national chairman.

Basir alleged that Mark took over the party’s leadership without involving all stakeholders, adding that INEC acted in accordance with the court’s directive. He also said the ADC made a legal mistake by approaching the Court of Appeal during an ongoing trial.

The ADC said on Thursday that it will proceed with its scheduled congresses despite the recent setback from INEC. Basiru criticised this move, describing it as reckless.

He also reacted to the ADC’s demanding that INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan be removed from office.

“It is preposterous to demand removal of the chairman and commissioners,” he added.

Basiru, however, noted that the APC was not defending INEC but responding to the ADC’s allegations.