The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to adhere strictly to due process and stop misleading the public over the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, also dismissed demands for the removal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and other commissioners, describing the calls as undemocratic and contrary to constitutional procedures governing the electoral body.
This follows INEC’s announcement on Wednesday that it had withdrawn recognition of key ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, pending the outcome of ongoing court proceedings. The commission explained that the decision was in compliance with a court order directing all parties to maintain the status quo until final judgment is delivered.
The ADC has been embroiled in a leadership tussle since 2025, after the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mark in July of that year. The dispute stemmed from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, which ended in August 2022, but was followed by contested leadership transitions that triggered legal battles.
Mark and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi have accused the APC and President Bola Tinubu of influencing their challenges. However, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka rejected the allegation, insisting that INEC acted based on valid court rulings and in line with electoral laws.
Basiru maintained that the crisis facing the Mark-led faction was caused by procedural irregularities in how it assumed leadership of the party, which led to litigation and an unfavourable ruling at the Court of Appeal.
He further noted that the appeal filed by the faction was procedurally defective, having been lodged without proper leave from the trial court, and that the appellate court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo.
According to him, claims that the faction represents the leading opposition are misleading, adding that recent electoral outcomes do not support such assertions. He stressed that political leadership is earned through electoral credibility and public trust, not rhetoric or press statements.
Basiru also urged the faction to challenge any grievances through legal channels rather than public confrontation, warning that disregard for court orders and INEC directives amounts to self-help and undermines democratic institutions.
He dismissed calls for the removal of INEC officials as ignorant of constitutional processes, noting that the commission operates collectively and not under unilateral decision-making.
Basiru warned that any actions taken outside legal boundaries would ultimately be declared void by the courts, cautioning against attempts to blame the APC or the presidency for internal party disputes.