Follow Us on Google
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of parading “imaginary” defectors after the ruling party announced that some House of Assembly candidates from Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara states had defected to its fold.
The opposition party dismissed the claim, insisting that the individuals presented by the APC were neither its candidates nor recognised leaders.
In a statement, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, challenged the APC to produce evidence of the political credentials it attributed to the alleged defectors.
“The APC cannot assemble random individuals at its secretariat, confer imaginary ADC credentials on them and then announce their defection,” Abdullahi said.
He said the APC chairman was free to receive visitors at the party secretariat but should not present them to Nigerians as ADC candidates without evidence to establish their positions within the opposition party.
“These people are not our candidates,” the ADC said.
The party also rejected the APC’s claim that the alleged defectors were attracted by what the ruling party described as the “remarkable transformation” of Northern Nigeria under the present administration.
The ADC questioned how such claims could be reconciled with the economic pressures confronting Nigerians, including high food prices, insecurity and rising household expenses.
“Having invented ADC credentials for its guests, the APC has supplied an equally imaginative account of its performance over the past few years,” the party said.
The opposition party further challenged the APC to identify the offices allegedly held by the individuals within the ADC, the constituencies they supposedly represented and when they occupied those positions.
“The APC should state the ADC offices these individuals supposedly held, the constituencies they represented as our candidates and when they held those positions,” it said.
The ADC said Nigerians were more interested in tangible improvements in their living conditions than political ceremonies and photographs announcing defections.
“Nigerians are asking for evidence of better lives; the APC is manufacturing photographs and congratulating itself,” the party said.
The exchange comes as political parties intensify their mobilisation and positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, with defections and claims of growing support becoming a major feature of the emerging political contest.
