The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reportedly led by David Mark, of misinforming the public over the lingering leadership dispute within the party.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru insisted that the faction should adhere to established legal procedures rather than, in his words, misrepresenting the situation to Nigerians.
Basiru also rejected calls for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amupitan Joash, along with other commissioners. He described such demands as undemocratic and contrary to constitutional provisions guiding the commission’s operations.
His remarks follow INEC’s recent decision to suspend recognition of some ADC leaders, including Mark and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, pending the resolution of ongoing court cases.
INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the move was in compliance with a court order directing all parties involved to maintain the status quo until a final judgment is reached.
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The ADC has been grappling with internal divisions since 2025, following the emergence of a parallel National Working Committee aligned with Mark. The dispute is linked to disagreements over the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, whose term ended in August 2022 but remained a point of contention during the 2025 leadership transition.
Mark, alongside the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, has alleged that the APC and President Bola Tinubu are behind the crisis. However, APC spokesman Felix Morka dismissed the claims, maintaining that INEC’s actions were strictly based on a valid court directive and consistent with electoral laws.
Basiru further downplayed assertions that the current administration intends to impose a one-party system, noting that several political parties remain active and are free to participate in the 2027 general elections.
He argued that the crisis within the Mark-led faction stems from what he described as an irregular leadership process that lacked broad consultation, leading to legal challenges and unfavorable court decisions.
He also criticized the faction’s legal strategy, stating that its appeal was filed prematurely without proper authorization from the lower court, which contributed to its dismissal at the appellate level.
According to Basiru, the faction’s continued defiance of court rulings and INEC directives reflects a disregard for due process and could further complicate the situation.
He emphasized that political relevance and leadership status cannot be claimed through statements alone but must be earned through electoral success and public confidence.
The APC chieftain advised the aggrieved group to pursue appropriate legal channels if dissatisfied, warning against actions that may ultimately be invalidated by the courts.
Basiru also faulted calls for the removal of INEC officials, stressing that decisions within the commission are collective and guided by constitutional provisions rather than external pressure.
He concluded that a lack of adherence to institutional processes would only deepen the internal crisis facing the opposition party.
