The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a coordinated campaign to destabilize the opposition party amid ongoing political realignments. According to party officials, the strategy centers on a planned Abuja protest designed to exert public pressure on Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission over an internal leadership dispute.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, detailed the allegations in a statement shared on his official social media account. He stated that APC-linked actors initiated the campaign after earlier attempts to pressure the electoral commission failed. Those previous efforts reportedly sought administrative intervention against the ADC following Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s recent defection to the party. After electoral authorities declined to act, Abdullahi claimed the ruling party shifted to organizing public demonstrations as an alternative leverage tactic.
The demonstration is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, in Abuja. Abdullahi alleged that the protest will be financially backed by senior government figures and will feature individuals posing as disgruntled ADC supporters. The demonstrators are expected to demand the removal of David Mark from his leadership role. According to the ADC spokesperson, the objective is to manufacture the appearance of widespread internal dissent, thereby pushing the electoral body to recognize a former official who has already resigned and been formally expelled from the party’s ranks.
Abdullahi emphasized that the ADC will address the situation strictly through established legal channels and will resist unauthorized interference in its administrative structure. He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to monitor the developments, stating that federal authorities should intervene if the organizers are operating without presidential approval.
Neither the APC nor federal government representatives have issued a public response to the allegations. The dispute emerges alongside shifting political alliances in Nigeria, where party recognition conflicts frequently intersect with electoral commission procedures and public mobilization campaigns. The ADC’s claims are expected to intensify scrutiny over stakeholder tactics in managing leadership transitions and regulatory compliance ahead of the country’s next electoral cycle.
