The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of organizing a demonstration in Abuja aimed at influencing an ongoing internal leadership dispute.
According to a statement issued by ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, the scheduled April 2 gathering is intended to prolong factional tensions within the opposition party. Abdullahi noted that the approach represents a tactical shift after earlier efforts to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into taking what the ADC described as unlawful administrative measures proved unsuccessful.
Party officials claim that available intelligence indicates the demonstration will be coordinated using compensated participants posing as dissatisfied members. The group is reportedly being mobilized to demand the removal of David Mark from the party’s leadership. The ADC alleges the broader objective is to generate public pressure that would compel INEC to formally recognize a former associate who previously resigned before his subsequent expulsion. The party maintains it will not acknowledge any structural changes resulting from external interference.
The opposition faction described the alleged scheme as part of a wider effort to destabilize its operations, emphasizing its role in a political system where it considers itself the primary alternative to the ruling government. The statement urged President Bola Tinubu to direct government-aligned operatives to halt what it characterized as targeted interference. It also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to resolving internal matters through established legal and regulatory channels.
Leadership verification within Nigerian political parties typically requires official clearance from INEC, making electoral oversight a standard component of domestic organizational disputes. The ADC’s public allegations highlight ongoing tensions between party management and state regulatory bodies. As the April 2 date approaches, representatives for the APC and electoral officials have not issued public responses to the claims. Further developments will likely depend on INEC’s administrative procedures and how party factions navigate Nigeria’s established political dispute resolution mechanisms.
