The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused powerful figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of scheming to destabilise the party and ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu becomes the sole candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed the APC is attempting to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe as the ADC national chairman, despite no legal basis for such a claim.
The party described the move as part of a broader strategy to undermine the ADC’s leadership, sow confusion, and weaken the only credible opposition platform ahead of the next general election.
“Senator David Mark emerged as ADC national chairman last July, after the party positioned itself as the opposition coalition for 2027. Soon after, Gombe laid claim to the leadership,” the statement said.
The ADC said its leadership was confirmed in a combined meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) witnessed by INEC in July 2025, with formal recognition by the electoral body in September 2025. The party also noted that a Federal High Court on March 6 dismissed a recent challenge to Mark’s leadership, upholding a Supreme Court ruling that internal party leadership is an internal affair.
“The objective of this alleged APC interference is clear: to create division, sponsor illegitimate claims, and cripple the opposition, leaving Nigerians with no real choice in the next election,” the party said.
ADC vowed to resist all attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to manipulate its internal structures or interfere with Nigeria’s democratic process, warning that such actions threaten democratic pluralism and the constitutional rights of citizens.
“The ruling party’s efforts to infiltrate or capture opposition parties for its political convenience represent a direct assault on democracy,” the statement concluded.
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