2027: INEC move triggers ADC–APC clash, as Presidency clarifies ‘status quo ante’

…David Mark decries ‘assault on democracy’

…Crisis is self-inflicted — APC says

…As FG rejects electoral interference claims

A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of factions within the ADC leadership.

The development has provoked sharp reactions from both parties, each accusing the other of actions capable of weakening Nigeria’s democracy.

Addressing a world press conference, ADC National Chairman, David Mark, described INEC’s action as “a direct assault on democracy,” warning that it could erode citizens’ fundamental rights to political participation and association.

The former Senate President accused the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of coordinating moves to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that the ADC leadership emerged through due process at a National Executive Committee meeting held on July 29, 2025, which, according to him, was monitored by INEC.

Mark also criticised INEC’s interpretation of a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” arguing that the commission acted beyond its constitutional mandate.

According to him, “Our demand is therefore clear: We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, and all the National Commissioners. We no longer have confidence in them. We are convinced that they are incapable of conducting any credible election. Let us also make it clear: we are proceeding with our party programmes, because there is nothing under the law that makes INEC’s attendance, a mandatory requirement. We have duly served INEC notice, and we will proceed accordingly.

“We also call on the international community to take note of INEC’s actions of April 1st, and of the restraint we are exercising today. We call on them to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those who are undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

“We call on Nigerians to defend our democracy. This is a defining moment. Stand firm. Speak out. Participate. Resist any attempt to impose a one-party state on Nigeria. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and together, we must protect it. It is often said that the arc of history does not bend towards tyranny. It bends towards freedom. And no matter how long the night may seem, the morning will come. Nigeria will not be silenced. Nigeria will not be conquered. Nigeria is rising, ADC is rising.”

Reacting, the All Progressives Congress dismissed the African Democratic Congress and described the allegations as baseless, insisting that the opposition party was responsible for its internal crisis.

The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, characterised the ADC as “an assembly of confused and desperate politicians” spreading conspiracy theories.

Morka alleged that the crisis stemmed from an unlawful takeover of the party’s leadership by a faction led by David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in violation of the party’s constitution.

According to him, “Quite apart from being an assembly of Nigeria’s most confused and desperate politicians, the African Democratic Congress has distinguished itself as a peddler of rabid conspiracy theories about what the All Progressives Congress is or is not doing to undermine the party.

“The ADC is a party that never was. By design, it was a kamikaze contraption with a ‘follow-come’ self-destructive detonator. It had to unravel and is now unravelling fast by instalment.

“When its factional leadership under the duo of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola descended on the party like thoughtless and planless commandos and seized control in clear violation of its constitutional stipulations on leadership succession, and in disregard of the rule of law, the ADC set its own date with destiny.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission’s decision to withdraw recognition of the factional David Mark-led executives in compliance with a court judgment is valid in law, justified in fact, and consistent with electoral policy and democratic practice. It is the consequence of the party’s reckless and desperate misadventure.

“It is therefore highly evasive and irresponsible for the ADC to blame the APC for its internal woes, of which it is the sole architect.

“The ADC’s unwillingness to take responsibility for its failure to follow due process, organise its internal affairs, and manage its self-inflicted crisis renders it unfit to be taken seriously by Nigerians. A party that cannot fix itself cannot possibly fix Nigeria.

“The ADC has nothing to offer beyond its attacks against the APC. Attacking the APC appears to be its central preoccupation. It is a party lacking in ideas and adrift in desperation for power.

“Our great party and the administration of President Bola Tinubu remain committed to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda, and to strengthening democratic institutions for peace, unity and prosperity of all Nigerians,” he said.

As the dispute intensifies, the Presidency also weighed in, seeking to clarify the legal and constitutional context of the controversy.

In a statement titled “Status quo versus status quo ante bellum: An explainer to the wailing ADC,” Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga set out distinctions between the Latin legal terms at the centre of the disagreement.

He explained that “status quo” refers to the existing state of affairs, while “status quo ante bellum” denotes a return to conditions that prevailed before a specific event, often used in diplomatic or legal contexts to restore an earlier position.

Applying the distinction to the ADC crisis, Onanuga argued that the court directive requiring a return to the “status quo ante bellum” implied restoring the party’s structure to what it was before the contested leadership changes.

He linked this interpretation to an ongoing dispute involving Nafiu Gombe, who, according to him, claims to remain the party’s vice chairman and to have been next in line for the chairmanship following the resignation of former chairman Ralph Nwoye.

Onanuga further alleged that the party’s difficulties stemmed from internal decisions, including claims that its structure had been ceded for political purposes ahead of the 2027 elections, and urged the ADC to accept responsibility for what he described as its self-inflicted challenges rather than attributing blame to President Tinubu or INEC.