The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of attempting to undermine and destabilise the party following the recent defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that there is ongoing pressure on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, to interfere in its internal affairs and leadership structure.
According to the ADC, the alleged interference is tied to a legal dispute involving an expelled party member, with certain legal representatives reportedly attempting to push INEC into taking actions before the courts have reached a final decision.
The party argued that this move is part of a broader strategy to weaken what it described as a growing and viable opposition platform, especially in light of recent political developments that have attracted new high-profile members.
The full statement reads: “The 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), and destabilise the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
“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.
“This conspiracy is centred on a legal dispute that is now being pushed beyond the courtroom. In a letter dated March 28, 2026, a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is asking INEC to enforce a curious and peculiar interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling regarding what constitutes “status quo ante bellum.”
“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. They want 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. 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is claiming to be aggrieved over the ADC leadership, was never the Chairman of the ADC. And, perhaps more significantly, Nafiu Gombe had earlier resigned his position alongside other members of the National Working Committee. He has also since been expelled from the party. Therefore, any attempt to recreate a “status quo” that upgrades his position to National Chairman of the ADC at any point in time is, at best, fictitious.
“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. But Nigerians can see what is happening.
“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.
