The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly rebuffed allegations by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by David Mark, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of undermining opposition parties to impose a one-party state.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, APC National Secretary Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka described the claims as “puerile propaganda” and “deliberate mischief,” attributing the opposition’s outcry to internal legal setbacks.
The ruling party maintained that Nigeria remains firmly a multi-party democracy, noting that 19 registered political parties are currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all eligible to participate in the 2027 general elections.
“President Tinubu has no power to deregister any political party,” Basiru stated, adding that political relevance must be earned through electoral credibility rather than media rhetoric.
The APC further argued that the crisis within the ADC faction stems from what it described as a failed attempt to seize the party’s leadership, which reportedly ended in defeat at the Court of Appeal.
According to the party, the appellate court dismissed the faction’s case as lacking merit and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, a directive it said INEC merely enforced by withdrawing recognition of the group.
“In this circumstance, where does President Bola Tinubu feature in their predicament, if not in outright fallacious propaganda?” the statement queried.
The ruling party also condemned the faction’s demand for the removal of INEC leadership, calling it “preposterous” and indicative of political recklessness.
It warned that the ADC faction’s plan to proceed with party congresses and conventions despite ongoing litigation could trigger disorder, describing such actions as “self-help” and a disregard for due process.
Drawing parallels with its own past internal challenges, the APC cited its loss of electoral victories in Zamfara State due to internal disputes as evidence that political parties must bear the consequences of mismanagement.
Concluding, the APC dismissed the coalition as politically unviable and reaffirmed its focus on governance, urging opposition groups to resolve internal crises rather than apportion blame.
