The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed accusations from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to delist the David Mark-led National Working Committee. The ruling party described the allegations as baseless, insisting that the ADC’s troubles are self-inflicted and not the result of external interference.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, issued a statement on Thursday criticizing the ADC for blaming the APC for its internal crisis. He argued that the party’s leadership problems stem from its own mismanagement and disregard for due process.
INEC had announced on Wednesday that it was derecognizing key figures of the ADC, including National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola. The commission explained that the decision was taken in compliance with a court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of ongoing litigation.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since 2025, following the emergence of Mark’s National Working Committee. The dispute originated from disagreements over the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, whose term ended in 2022. Nwosu’s involvement in facilitating the 2025 transition sparked opposition from factions within the party, leading to rival groups claiming leadership and filing multiple court cases.
Amid the turmoil, Mark and ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi accused the APC and President Bola Tinubu of orchestrating their challenges. The APC rejected these claims, stressing that INEC’s decision was legally justified and consistent with electoral guidelines.
Morka described the ADC as “an assembly of Nigeria’s most confused and desperate politicians,” accusing it of peddling conspiracy theories. He argued that the party’s leadership under Mark and Aregbesola violated constitutional stipulations on succession and disregarded the rule of law, setting the stage for its collapse.
“The ADC is a party that never was. By design, it was a kamikaze contraption with a self-destructive detonator. It had to unravel and is now unravelling fast by instalment,” the APC statement read.
The ruling party further asserted that the ADC has failed to manage its internal affairs and is unfit to be taken seriously by Nigerians. “A party that cannot fix itself cannot possibly fix Nigeria,” Morka said, adding that the ADC’s focus on attacking the APC reflects desperation rather than a coherent political agenda.
The APC emphasized that INEC’s derecognition of the Mark-led executives was a direct consequence of the ADC’s reckless missteps. It maintained that the commission acted in line with a valid court judgment, reinforcing the principle of lawful electoral practice.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the ADC’s unresolved crisis raises concerns about its ability to participate effectively. The APC’s dismissal of the allegations underscores the widening gulf between the two parties, with the ruling party framing the ADC’s struggles as evidence of weak leadership and poor governance.
