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Debunks One-Party Allegation against Tinubu
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Backs INEC Decision to De-recognise Party’s Leadership
- Safiu Kehinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has charged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to desist from blaming other parties for its internal crises as the ruling party debunked the one-party allegation filed against President Bola Tinubu by the ADC.
APC also defended the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) de-recognition of the ADC National Working Committee led by former Senate President, Sen. David Mark.
NPO Reported that the INEC had on Wednesday withdrew its recognition of the Mark-led ADC faction in compliance with the Appeal Court ruling which barred the commission from recognising the faction.
The ADC would, in response on Thursday, hold a World Press Conference, where they demanded the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, and all National Commissioners.
They also accused the commission of compromise, alleging that their decision was influenced by the APC in a bid to see Tinubu emerge as a sole candidate ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Reacting to the allegations in a Press Conference held on Friday, the APC, National Working Committee (NWC) faulted the ADC’s claims, a=labelling them a deliberate mischief and puerile propaganda orchestrated by Mark and ‘co-travelers’.
The APC refutes the claim of Tinubu orchestrating a one-party state, stressing that the president has no power to deregister any political party.
It accused the Mark-led faction of hijacking the ADC while sidelining several stakeholders of the party which led to the rows of litigations.
“As of today, there are 19 registered political parties in Nigeria with the potential to compete in the 2027 election, and President Tinubu has no power to deregister any political party.
“Nigerians must know that the present predicament of David Mark and his ilk has to do with the untidy way they hijacked the leadership of an existing political party without carrying along all stakeholders.
“This resulted in court litigation before the Federal High Court and the adverse judgment of the Court of Appeal upon which the INEC predicated its decision not to recognise any of the two contending parties for the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) pending the determination of the suit by the court.
“The ADC went to the Court of Appeal over an internal leadership dispute that was still ongoing at the trial court, and in doing so, made a fundamental legal mistake.
“The appellate court found that the lower court had not granted the injunctive relief sought but merely asked the defendants to show cause why the orders sought should not be granted, implying that Senator David Mark’s faction’s appeal was built on a faulty premise.” The statement partly read.
APC also faulted the decision of the Mark-led ADC faction to file an appeal despite ongoing trial over the case.
“The key issue of jurisdiction was still pending at the trial court, making the appeal premature, and they failed to obtain the required leave for an interlocutory appeal, an error serious enough to render the entire case incompetent.
“The appeal was therefore completely dismissed, with the court ordering all parties to maintain the status quo and avoid any actions that could disrupt the ongoing case, effectively portraying ADC as acting hastily, procedurally flawed, and in disregard of due legal process.” The APC stated.
The ruling party further mocked the ADC poise as a leading opposition party, stressing that the party is indulging in self-delusion.
“The David Mark factional ADC leadership appear to be indulging in self-delusion by positioning themselves as the leading opposition, when their recent electoral outings clearly suggest otherwise.
‘You cannot lay claim to national relevance while your performance at the polls remains abysmal and unconvincing.
“Since the inception of their so-called coalition, they have been roundly rejected at the polls by Nigerians, including during the recently held Local Government Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Leadership of the opposition is not declared through press conferences or rhetoric; it is earned through consistent electoral credibility and public trust, both of which they have struggled to demonstrate.
“Therefore, President Bola Tinubu and indeed the All Progressives Congress cannot be bothered about the contraption of electoral unviability being bandied as a “coalition”!” The statement read further.
On INEC’s decision to de-recognise the David Mark leadership of the ADC, the APC held that the commission’s action was strictly borne out of appellate court’s ruling which dismissed the appeal of the ADC faction and upheld the ruling barring INEC from recognising the faction.
APC charged Mark to challenge INEC’s decision in court rather than maintaining a defiant position which it labelled an act of recklessness and clear display of irresponsibility.
“The ADC orders being implemented by the Independent National Electoral Commission were a consequence of the dismissal of an appeal filed by Senator David Mark and his faction at the Court of Appeal, where the decision did not go in their favour, but rather the Court of Appeal upheld the position of the respondent.
“If Senator Mark and his factional ADC leadership believe INEC’s interpretation is flawed, they ought to know the proper channel to seek redress—the courts. INEC, on its part, has categorically stated that it is acting in line with maintaining the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal.
“The public, defiant posture of Senator Mark and his factional ADC leadership against the orders of the Court of Appeal and their implementation by INEC not only amounts to self-help but also to recklessness and a clear display of irresponsibility.” The ruling party said.
The APC further faulted the ADC’s call for Amupitan and the INEC Commissioners’ removal.
“Their call for the sack of the INEC Chairman and other INEC Commissioners further exposes a lack of seriousness and understanding of leadership processes of established institutions.
“As experienced politicians and former public office holders, they ought to know the constitutional process governing appointments and tenure within INEC, and that decisions are taken by the commission, not the Chairman alone.
“It is preposterous that these undemocratic elements dare to call for the removal of not only the INEC Chairman but the entire National Commissioners!” The ruling party said.
While warning the ADC against its decision to proceed with its planned congress and convention despite de-recognition of its leadership, APC charged the opposition party to put its house in order and respect INEC’s decision and comply with the court’s ruling.
“The ADC must also come to terms with a hard truth: blaming other parties will not fix their internal crises.
“No amount of external finger-pointing can erase their consistent failures or resolve their lingering leadership issues.
“It is wishful thinking to assume that other political parties will step in to rescue them from problems they have repeatedly failed to manage.
“When All Progressives Congress lost all the seats it had won in Zamfara State due to its own unresolved internal crisis, and Peoples Democratic Party became the beneficiary, everyone agreed it was the rule of law taking its course.
“No outrage, no conspiracy theories, just the consequences of failing to put your house in order.” The statement added.