The All Progressives Congress, APC, has officially distanced itself from the leadership crisis currently rocking the African Democratic Congress, ADC. Speaking on News Central on Thursday, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the derecognition of Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola by the electoral umpire as an “utterly self-inflicted” wound. The ruling party maintains that the opposition is merely looking for a scapegoat to cover up its internal administrative failures.
Morka dismissed the widespread allegations that the APC orchestrated the removal of the duo from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, portal. He argued that the ruling party is too focused on its own internal preparations for the 2027 general elections to bother with the troubles of other platforms. This statement follows a week of intense speculation regarding the true motives behind the sudden change in the ADC leadership structure.
The internal hijack of the African Democratic Congress
According to the APC spokesperson, the crisis within the ADC stems from a blatant disregard for the party’s own constitution. Morka alleged that the leadership led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola attempted to “parachute” into the party and take control without following the established succession rules. He noted that the move was an illegal hijack that completely ignored the rule of law and the party’s foundational documents.
The ruling party believes that when political actors try to bypass constitutional stipulations, they must be prepared for the legal consequences. Morka stated that the APC did not have to lift a finger because the “manufactured” crisis was the direct result of the affected leaders’ actions. He urged the public to look closely at how the ADC leadership was ordered before pointing fingers at external parties.
INEC takes action against David Mark executive
The controversy reached a climax when INEC officially removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively. The commission’s decision was reportedly based on a review of the party’s congresses and the validity of the executive’s emergence. This move has effectively left the ADC in a state of administrative limbo as the political season heats up.
Supporters of the ousted executive have claimed that the move is a deliberate attempt to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls. However, the APC maintains that it has no interest in the internal bickering of the ADC or any other rival party. Felix Morka reiterated that the opposition’s obsession with the APC is a distraction from their inability to manage their own house properly.
Respecting the rule of law in party politics
The APC has used this development to call for a more disciplined approach to party politics and internal democracy across the country. Morka argued that for any party to be seen as a viable alternative, it must first demonstrate a respect for its own internal laws. He believes that the current situation in the ADC is a cautionary tale for those who believe they can “muscle” their way into leadership positions.
As the legal battle over the ADC leadership moves to the courts, the ruling party says it will remain a neutral observer. The APC’s focus remains on its “Renewed Hope” agenda and ensuring that its members are united behind the president. For the leaders of the ADC, the path back to the INEC portal appears to be a long and difficult one, paved with constitutional hurdles.
The impact of the crisis on the opposition front
The removal of high-profile figures like David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from the ADC leadership is a significant blow to the opposition’s efforts to form a united front. Both men are veterans of the Nigerian political scene with a vast network of supporters across different regions. Their current predicament has created a vacuum that other interests within the party are already trying to fill.
Political analysts suggest that this instability could lead to a further fragmentation of the opposition vote in 2027. If the ADC cannot resolve its leadership crisis quickly, it risks losing the momentum it had gained among the disillusioned electorate. For now, the APC is content to watch from the sidelines as its rivals grapple with what it calls “self-inflicted” disasters.
