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 triggered sharp reactions from both parties, with each side accusing the other of undermining 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 Pres. Bola Tinubu of orchestrating efforts 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 (NEC) meeting held on July 29, 2025, which, according to him, was monitored by INEC.
Mark also faulted INEC’s interpretation of a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the “status quo ante bellum,” insisting that the commission acted outside its constitutional role.
According to him, “Our demand is therefore clear: We demand the immediate resignation or sack of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan Joash, 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 1, 2026, and of the restraint we are exercising today. We urge them to recognise the clear threat to Nigeria’s democracy and stability, and to hold accountable those 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 (APC) dismissed the allegations by the ADC 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, described 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 Gov. 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 (ADC) has distinguished itself as a peddler of conspiracy theories about what the All Progressives Congress (APC) is or is not doing to undermine the party.
“The ADC is a party that never was. By design, it was a self-destructive contraption. It had to unravel and is now unravelling fast.
“When its factional leadership under David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola assumed control of the party in violation of its constitutional provisions on leadership succession and in disregard of the rule of law, the ADC set its own path to crisis.
“The decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-recognise the David Mark-led executives in compliance with a court judgment is valid in law, justified in fact, and consistent with democratic practice.
“It is therefore irresponsible for the ADC to blame the APC for its internal challenges, of which it is the sole architect.
“The ADC’s failure to manage its internal affairs makes it unfit to be taken seriously by Nigerians. A party that cannot fix itself cannot fix Nigeria.
“The ADC has little to offer beyond attacks on the APC and remains a party lacking clear direction.
“Our party and the administration of Pres. Bola Tinubu remain committed to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda and strengthening democratic institutions for the peace, unity, and prosperity of all Nigerians.”