ADC accused APC of planning to weaken the party, claiming to put pressure on INEC following Kwankwaso’s defection

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of increasing pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a bid to interfere in its internal affairs, following the defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the party.

Opposition parties described the situation as more than just internal strife, and warned that the alleged actions raise concerns about the independence of the electoral body at a time when political realignment is intensifying.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC accused influential figures in the ruling party of exploiting the ongoing legal dispute to undermine its leadership.

The party linked the development to a March 28 letter reportedly written by a group of Senior Nigerian Advocates on behalf of an expelled member, urging INEC to act on the disputed interpretation of the Court of Appeal decision regarding the status quo ante bellum.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has observed coordinated efforts to pressure the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to destabilize the leadership of the David Mark-led party,” the ADC said.

The party further linked the alleged pressure to Kwankwaso’s recent defection, and pointed out that it had unsettled the ruling party and sparked efforts to stem the exit of other key figures.

It says; “Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s decision to join our party has raised unease across the ruling party. Since then, top officials in the federal government have again launched attacks on our party, in an attempt to discourage other key figures.”

“In the letter, the authors even threatened to arrest the INEC chairman if he did not accede to their demand within seven days.

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“Clearly, what the author of this obnoxious letter is trying to do is pressure INEC to take sides and grant what no court in Nigeria has ever granted.”

In response to the internal dispute, the ADC rejected claims from former party figures challenging its leadership, and confirmed that the individual did not hold the position he now claims or remain a member of the party.

The party said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who claims he was aggrieved by the ADC leadership, was never the ADC chairman.

“Any attempt to recreate the ‘status quo’ of elevating his position to ADC national chairman at any time, is fictitious.

“No pressure, no manufactured confusion, and no distortion of the legal process will stop what is already underway. The ADC is growing. Nigerians are joining in. A credible opposition is taking shape.”

Reiterating its stance, the party urged INEC to reject all forms of interference and uphold its constitutional role.

“We call on INEC to remain guided by the constitution, reject all forms of pressure, and uphold its duty as an impartial referee.

“This is bigger than ADC. This is about whether Nigerians can freely choose another path. And that must not be compromised.”