The All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded strongly to allegations made by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, describing their claims as baseless, misleading, and legally untenable.
Addressing a press conference held by the faction on April 2, 2026, the APC said the assertions—ranging from accusations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is weakening opposition parties to claims of bias by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—are nothing more than “deliberate mischief and propaganda.”
According to the APC, Nigeria currently has 19 registered political parties capable of contesting the 2027 elections, stressing that the President has no constitutional power to deregister any party.
The ruling party argued that the ADC’s internal crisis stems from its own leadership disputes and procedural errors in court, not from external interference.
The APC further explained that the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by Senator David Mark’s faction due to fundamental legal flaws, including lack of jurisdiction and failure to obtain proper leave.
The court, it noted, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case at the Federal High Court.
INEC’s position, the APC maintained, is simply a lawful implementation of the court’s directive.
It advised the ADC faction to seek redress through appropriate legal channels if dissatisfied, rather than resorting to public accusations.
Defiant stance on convention
Criticizing the faction’s continued plans to conduct party congresses and conventions, the APC described such actions as a direct violation of subsisting court orders.
It warned that proceeding in defiance of the judiciary amounts to illegality and undermines democratic principles.
“Their public defiance of court orders and institutional processes is reckless and irresponsible,” the APC stated, adding that calls for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners reveal a lack of understanding of constitutional procedures.
The party also dismissed the ADC faction’s claim to opposition leadership, arguing that credibility must be earned through electoral performance, not media rhetoric.
It pointed to the faction’s poor outing in recent elections as evidence of its limited political relevance.
Concluding, the APC urged the ADC to resolve its internal crises instead of blaming external forces, emphasizing that the rule of law must prevail.
It warned that any consequences arising from the faction’s actions would be the result of its own disregard for due process—not the influence of the ruling party.
