ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The All Progressives Congress (APC)- has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) linking it to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) decision to delist the David Mark-led leadership of the party, insisting that the crisis rocking the ADC is self-inflicted.
In a statement on Thursday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the claims as baseless, accusing the ADC of attempting to deflect attention from its internal disarray.
INEC had on Wednesday delisted key figures within the ADC, including its National Chairman, David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, citing compliance with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a suit before a trial court.
But the ADC had alleged that the ruling party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were behind the move, describing it as part of a broader effort to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Reacting, the APC said such claims were “escapist and irresponsible,” insisting that the ADC’s troubles stem from its failure to properly manage its internal affairs.
“Quite apart from being an assembly of confused and desperate politicians, the ADC has distinguished itself as a peddler of conspiracy theories about what the APC is or is not doing,” the party said.
The ruling party argued that the ADC’s leadership crisis dates back to disputes over succession following the expiration of former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s tenure, which later escalated into factional claims and multiple court cases.
According to the APC, the emergence of a new leadership led by Mark and Aregbesola in 2025 violated the party’s constitutional provisions and triggered the current instability.
It maintained that INEC’s decision to derecognise the factional leadership was lawful, justified, and consistent with democratic norms.
“The decision is valid in law and fact. It is the consequence of the party’s reckless misadventure,” the APC stated.
READ ALSO: ADC Accuses APC Of Plotting Protest Against David Mark
The party further criticised the ADC for failing to take responsibility for its internal crisis, insisting that a political platform unable to manage its own affairs cannot be trusted to govern a country.
“A party that cannot fix itself cannot possibly fix Nigeria,” it added.
The APC also accused the ADC of lacking ideas, alleging that its primary focus has been attacking the ruling party rather than offering credible alternatives to Nigerians.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC, raising fresh concerns over the stability of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.