APC backs INEC’s de-recognition of ADC faction, accuses Mark-led group of hijacking party

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has supported the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from the factional leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, describing the crisis within the party as self-inflicted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will no longer accept correspondence from the rival factions of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe after reviewing a March 12 Court of Appeal judgment. The commission also announced it would suspend engagement with both groups, including monitoring their activities, until the Federal High Court delivers a final decision on the party’s leadership dispute.

The electoral body also removed the names of the Mark-led executives from its official portal, explaining that the action was in compliance with the appellate court’s directive to maintain the status quo until the substantive matter is determined.

The move triggered reactions on social media, with the Mark-led faction rejecting INEC’s interpretation of the court ruling. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC national publicity secretary, accused the commission of acting under political pressure.

He alleged that the decision was influenced by “a government panicked by the opposition momentum despite its efforts to destroy all opposition parties and foist a one-party rule on Nigeria.”

However, speaking on News Central TV on Thursday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka dismissed the allegations, insisting that the ruling party had no role in the ADC’s internal leadership crisis.

“INEC’s decision to de-recognise the David Mark executive was utterly self-inflicted. APC didn’t do that. You orchestrate the hijack of the ADC by that executive. We didn’t. They did,” Morka said. “They did that completely ignoring the rule of law, ignoring the constitution of the party they were putting themselves into.”

Morka argued that the ADC constitution clearly outlines leadership structure and succession procedures, which he claimed were disregarded by the Mark-led faction. “You come in with your parachutes; you take over the party without reference to the constitutional stipulation about succession and how leadership is ordered in that party. This is the consequence,” he said.