A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the derecognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership involving Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a major setback for the opposition party.
INEC had removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively, following its interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership dispute.
Reacting in a post on X on Thursday, Fani-Kayode mocked members and leaders of the ADC, questioning their political relevance in light of recent developments.
“Given the fact that they have been affected by the decisions of the courts and INEC and they no longer have a party and platform to stand and run on… who are the ones that have been rejected now?” he wrote.
He further claimed that the party had suffered multiple rejections, including from the courts, the electoral body, its original founders, and the Nigerian public.
The former minister also cast doubt on the party’s readiness for future elections, suggesting it should focus on rebuilding rather than contesting in 2027.
“May I suggest that they channel all their energy to building up and forming a real opposition party over the next five years and then field a candidate for the 2031 presidential election? Given the circumstances, that is their best bet because 2027 is already lost to them,” he said.
Fani-Kayode added that the party’s current crisis was self-inflicted, accusing its leaders of failing to provide meaningful solutions while engaging in unproductive activities.
Meanwhile, the development has continued to generate reactions, with the ADC stating that over 40,000 Nigerians have joined the party since the announcement of INEC’s decision on Wednesday.
