By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating moves to destabilise the party following the recent defection of former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that pressure was being mounted on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), to interfere in the internal affairs of the party.
Abdullahi said the alleged moves intensified after Kwankwaso’s defection, which he described as a development that had “sent jitters through the ruling party.”
“The decision of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join our party has understandably unsettled 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 from joining.”
The ADC claimed that the pressure is being executed through a legal dispute involving a March 28 letter written by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, purportedly on behalf of an expelled party member. According to the party, the letter is seeking to compel INEC to take actions that would alter the party’s leadership structure before the courts have reached a final decision.
“In the said letter, the writers went as far as threatening the INEC chairman with arrest if he does not comply within seven days. They are asking INEC to invalidate party meetings, remove recognised officials, and hand over the affairs of the party to a specific individual, even though the case itself has not been fully decided by the courts” Abdullahi stated.
He described the move as an attempt to “pressure INEC to take sides and grant what no court in Nigeria has granted.”
The party specifically referenced claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is reportedly contesting the party’s leadership. Abdullahi maintained that Gombe was never the national chairman of the ADC and had previously resigned alongside other members of the National Working Committee before being expelled.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Nafiu Gombe was never the Chairman of the ADC,” he said. “Any attempt to recreate a ‘status quo’ that upgrades his position to National Chairman is fictitious.”
The ADC further alleged that the developments point to a broader strategy aimed at weakening opposition forces in the country.
“What we are witnessing is a convergence of legal pressure and political intent by a ruling party that is unsettled by the growing appeal of the ADC,” Abdullahi said.
He, however, expressed confidence that such efforts would not succeed, insisting that the party’s growing support base reflects a shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“No amount of pressure, no manufactured confusion, and no distortion of legal processes will stop what is already in motion,” he said. “The ADC is growing. Nigerians are joining. A credible opposition is taking shape.”
The party called on INEC to remain neutral and uphold its constitutional responsibility as an independent electoral body.
“We call on INEC to remain guided by the Constitution, resist all forms of pressure, and uphold its duty as an impartial umpire,” Abdullahi added.
He emphasised that the issue extends beyond party politics to the broader democratic process in Nigeria.
“This is bigger than the ADC. It is about whether Nigerians can freely choose a different path, and that must not be compromised” he said.
