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By Lawrence Agbo
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a bid to destabilise its internal structure.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged a coordinated effort by figures within the ruling party to interfere in its affairs, particularly following the defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the ADC.
According to the party, the situation goes beyond an internal dispute and raises serious concerns about the independence of INEC at a time when political alignments are shifting ahead of future elections.
ADC linked the alleged pressure to a March 28 letter written by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, said to be acting on behalf of an expelled member, urging INEC to act on a disputed interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling.
“African Democratic Congress, ADC, has observed a coordinated attempt to pressure the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, to destabilise the David Mark-led leadership of the party,” ADC said.
The party claimed the letter was part of a broader attempt to use legal processes to weaken its leadership, particularly the faction led by former Senate President David Mark. It also alleged that the authors of the letter threatened the INEC chairman with arrest if their demands were not met within seven days.
“The decision of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join our party has understandably sent jitters through the ruling party. Since then, top officials within the federal government have renewed their onslaught against our party, in a bid to discourage other high-profile figures.
“In the said letter, the writers even went ahead to threaten the INEC chairman with arrest if he does not grant their request within seven days.
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“Obviously, what the authors of this vexatious letter are attempting to do is to pressure INEC to take sides and grant them what no court in Nigeria has granted.” the statement read.
ADC further rejected claims by a former member, Nafiu Bala Gombe, to its leadership, insisting he neither held the position he claims nor remains part of the party.
The party maintained that no amount of pressure or legal maneuvering would halt its growth, noting that more Nigerians are joining and that a credible opposition is taking shape.
It, however, called on INEC to remain impartial, urging the electoral body to resist all forms of political pressure and uphold its constitutional responsibility.
“Any attempt to recreate a ‘status quo’ that upgrades his position to national chairman of ADC at any point in time is, at best, fictitious.
“No amount of pressure, no manufactured confusion, and no distortion of legal processes will stop what is already in motion. The ADC is growing. Nigerians are joining. A credible opposition is taking shape.”
“We call on INEC to remain guided by the constitution, resist all forms of pressure, and uphold its duty as an impartial umpire.
“This is bigger than the ADC. It is about whether Nigerians can freely choose a different path. And that must not be compromised,” the party stated.
