Abuja: The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to put its house in order and desist from blaming the APC or President Bola Tinubu for its internal wrangling.
The APC gave the advice on Friday at a news conference in Abuja, addressed by the National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, and the Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
The ADC had alleged that Tinubu was weakening opposition parties to impose a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general election.
It also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of unlawfully derecognising its David Mark-led leadership.
The ADC claimed the commission misinterpreted a Court of Appeal order directing parties to maintain the status quo.
It further accused INEC of partisanship and contempt, calling for the removal of its chairman and commissioners.
In response, Basiru said the allegations were unsubstantiated, stating that the facts were available to Nigerians and the international community.
He urged the ADC to accept responsibility and emphasised that blaming others would not resolve its leadership disputes.
No amount of assigning responsibility to others can address their ongoing challenges or resolve their leadership issues.
“Expecting other parties to resolve their ongoing problems is unrealistic,” Basiru said.
He cited the APC’s loss of seats in Zamfara due to internal crisis as an example of the rule of law at work.
There was no controversy or alternative explanations; just the outcomes of not resolving internal matters.
Basiru rejected claims that Tinubu intended to create a one-party state, noting that Nigeria still has 22 registered political parties.
“President Tinubu has no power to deregister any political party,” he said. He blamed the ADC’s crisis on a lack of internal democracy and disregard for court orders.
Basiru said the dispute began when a Mark-led group allegedly took over party leadership without involving all stakeholders.
This, he noted, triggered litigation at the Federal High Court and an adverse Court of Appeal judgment.
He explained that INEC declined to recognise either faction pending the court’s final determination.
“The ADC made a fundamental legal mistake by approaching the Court of Appeal during an ongoing trial,” he said.
Basiru said INEC acted in accordance with the court’s directive, questioning why Tinubu was being blamed.
“David Mark’s appeal was dismissed, with an order to maintain the status quo and costs awarded against him.
Where does President Tinubu come into this issue, except as part of unsupported claims? Basiru asked.
He advised the ADC faction to seek redress in court if dissatisfied with INEC’s interpretation.
“INEC has stated it is acting in line with maintaining the status quo ante bellum,” he said.
Basiru cautioned against defying court orders, describing such actions as inappropriate.
He criticised plans to proceed with congresses despite a pending court case challenging the leadership.
Such actions, he noted, can undermine institutions and due process.
He warned that any unlawful actions later nullified by courts should not be blamed on APC or Tinubu.
Basiru recalled that APC once halted its Ondo congresses in compliance with a court order.
He described the ADC’s call for the removal of INEC’s leadership as a misunderstanding of constitutional processes.
“As experienced politicians, they should understand how appointments and tenure in INEC are governed,” he said.
He noted that decisions within INEC are collective, not made by the chairman alone.
It is not in line with due process to demand the removal of the chairman and commissioners, Basiru said.
He also questioned ADC’s claim to opposition leadership, citing poor electoral performance.
The party, he noted, failed to win any seat in recent FCT council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano.
Opposition leadership, he said, is established through electoral support and public trust, not only by statements.
Basiru emphasised that APC was not defending INEC but was responding to what it considered to be unsubstantiated allegations.
Morka concluded that APC has no involvement or responsibility in resolving ADC’s internal issues.
