The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the Senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing its allegations of a plot to stifle the opposition as “puerile propaganda” and “deliberate mischief.”
In a press statement signed by the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the ruling party maintained that the internal crisis rocking the ADC is a self-inflicted wound resulting from legal blunders and a disregard for the rule of law.
Rejection of One-Party State Claims
Responding to claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deliberately weakening opposition parties to force a one-party state ahead of the 2027 elections, the APC noted that the President lacks the constitutional power to deregister any of the 19 existing political parties.
The APC clarified that the current predicament of the David Mark faction stems from a leadership tussle that led to a definitive ruling by the Court of Appeal. According to the statement, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the Mark faction, citing procedural flaws and a lack of jurisdiction.
”The David Mark factional ADC leadership appear to be indulging in self-delusion by positioning themselves as the leading opposition, when their recent electoral outings clearly suggest otherwise,” the statement read.
Defending INEC’s Neutrality
The APC defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against accusations of partisanship. It explained that INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition of the faction’s leadership was a direct compliance with the Court of Appeal’s order to maintain the status quo ante bellum (the state existing before the conflict).
The ruling party characterized the faction’s call for the removal of the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners as a “lack of seriousness” and an ignorance of the constitutional processes governing the commission.
Warning Against Legal Defiance
The APC expressed concern over the Mark faction’s insistence on proceeding with party congresses and conventions despite subsisting court orders.
”The avowed refusal by Senator Mark and his co-travellers to comply with court decisions demonstrates a troubling disregard for the rule of law,” Basiru stated. He warned that if the faction’s planned activities are eventually declared null and void by the courts, they should not blame the President or the APC for the consequences of their “planned illegality.”
“Look Inward,” APC Tells Opposition
Drawing a parallel to the 2019 Zamfara State crisis—where the APC lost its seats to the PDP due to internal disputes—the ruling party urged the ADC to stop “finger-pointing” and focus on resolving its internal fractures.
The APC concluded that leadership of the opposition is earned through “consistent electoral credibility and public trust,” rather than through press conferences and “rhetoric.”