The South-West leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deploying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weaken opposition parties, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is facing a serious threat ahead of the next election cycle.
The party said the controversy surrounding the recognition of its National Working Committee (NWC) goes beyond an internal dispute, describing it as a critical issue that raises concerns about political interference, the independence of INEC, and the ability of opposition parties to operate freely.
This position was outlined in a statement issued by the South-West Chairman of the ADC, Hon. Rahman Owokoniran, who spoke on behalf of the party’s regional leadership.
“No democracy can survive without a viable and sustainable opposition,” Owokoniran stated.
He maintained that the process which produced the party’s National Working Committee, led by former Senate President David Mark, followed due process and complied fully with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and INEC guidelines.
According to him, INEC not only monitored the process but also supervised it, making its current stance on the leadership issue questionable.
“It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf that the process that produced the Distinguished Senator David Mark-led National Working Committee followed well-defined procedures in line with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and INEC guidelines,” he said.
Owokoniran further questioned what may have informed INEC’s apparent shift in position, noting that the commission had previously supported the same leadership in court.
“The big question is what has suddenly changed?” he queried.
The ADC leader also criticised the interpretation of a court order directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, arguing that its meaning was clear but had been deliberately misconstrued.
He alleged that recent comments by APC officials, including statements by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga and positions taken by the Lagos State chapter of the ruling party, were provocative and indicative of intolerance toward opposition voices.
“It has never happened in Nigeria’s history for a ruling party to display such fear of elections and intolerance toward opposition parties,” he said.
Owokoniran added that the party had consistently engaged with INEC since the emergence of its leadership, informing the commission of its congresses and national convention.
He, however, described the commission’s reported move to withdraw recognition of the party’s National Working Committee as “strange” and politically motivated.
“Suddenly, the commission came up with the most strange decision of derecognising the National Working Committee of the party, all aimed at stopping us from contesting against the ruling party,” he alleged.
The ADC called for restraint from all stakeholders, warning against actions that could destabilise the country’s democratic process.
“They should stop undermining our democracy and refrain from actions that could throw the country into anarchy. Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, and citizens must be guaranteed the freedom of political association and the right to choose their leaders,” Owokoniran said.
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