THE ALL Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark to follow established legal procedures and refrain from misleading Nigerians regarding the ongoing leadership dispute within the party.
The appeal was made by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, during a press briefing on Friday.
Basiru also rejected recent demands for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Amupitan Joash, and other commissioners, describing such calls as undemocratic and a clear violation of the constitutional protocols governing the electoral body.
INEC had announced on Wednesday that it had withdrawn recognition from prominent ADC figures, including National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, pending a judicial determination.
The Commission, speaking through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the action was in compliance with a court directive mandating the maintenance of the status quo until the trial court delivers a final ruling.
The ADC has been grappling with a protracted leadership crisis since 2025, which began after the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark in July of that year.
The dispute originated from disagreements over the tenure of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, which officially ended in August 2022.
Despite this, Nwosu played a role in the 2025 leadership transition, prompting opposition from certain factions within the party.
Mark and the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, have alleged that the APC and President Bola Tinubu are responsible for their current predicament.
In response, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed these claims, insisting that INEC’s decision to withdraw recognition from the Mark-led executives was based on a valid court ruling and was consistent with electoral laws and democratic norms.
Basiru rejected assertions that President Tinubu intends to establish a one-party state, noting that 19 registered political parties remain eligible to participate in the 2027 elections, and that the President lacks the constitutional authority to deregister any party.
He explained that the difficulties faced by the David Mark leadership stem from the alleged irregular manner in which they assumed leadership of an existing political party without consulting all stakeholders, which led to litigation before the Federal High Court and an adverse judgment from the Court of Appeal.
Basiru further detailed procedural flaws in the Mark-led appeal, noting that it was based on an interlocutory appeal filed prematurely without seeking leave from the trial court.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ordering all parties to maintain the status quo and avoid any actions that could disrupt the ongoing case.
He also remarked that the Mark-led faction appears to be deluding itself by claiming to be the leading opposition, given recent electoral outcomes, including local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
He stressed that opposition leadership is earned through consistent electoral credibility and public trust, not through press conferences or rhetoric.
Basiru added that if the Mark-led ADC disagrees with INEC’s interpretation, it should seek redress through the courts. He stated that the defiant posture of Senator Mark and his faction against Court of Appeal orders and INEC’s implementation amounts to recklessness, irresponsibility, and self-help.
He noted that proceeding with party congresses despite ongoing litigation demonstrates a troubling disregard for institutions and due process.
Regarding calls for the removal of the INEC chairman and commissioners, Basiru said such demands expose a lack of understanding of constitutional processes and institutional operations, noting that decisions within INEC are collective, not unilateral.
He warned that the Mark-led ADC’s actions amount to illegality, and if they are declared null and void by the courts, it would be misleading to blame the APC or President Tinubu for the consequences of their disregard for the rule of law, adding that external finger-pointing will not resolve their internal crises.
