The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the unfolding leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a case of political self-destruction, accusing the opposition party of attempting to blame external forces for problems arising from its internal disagreements.
The party said the ADC’s leadership tussle, which has escalated into litigation and political recriminations, exposes serious weaknesses in its internal democratic structures and raises questions about its preparedness to provide credible national leadership.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 7, 2026, the Lagos APC Spokesman, Mogaji (Hon.) Seye Oladejo, said the recent Federal High Court judgment nullifying the Senator David Mark-led interim leadership structure had brought the consequences of the party’s unresolved internal disputes into sharper focus.
According to Oladejo, the ruling has introduced considerable uncertainty into the ADC’s political and electoral preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections, including the process that reportedly produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.
He criticised some ADC leaders for allegedly blaming the ruling APC, questioning the judiciary and portraying themselves as victims of a political conspiracy rather than addressing the internal disagreements responsible for the crisis.
RULE OF LAW MUST PREVAIL, SAYS APC
Oladejo stressed that political parties must operate within the provisions of their constitutions, established regulations and the laws of the country, insisting that no political figure should place personal ambition above institutional procedures.
He maintained that internal democracy must be demonstrated within political organisations and not merely deployed as a campaign slogan against opponents.
The Lagos APC spokesman argued that the disagreements surrounding the emergence of the Mark-led interim leadership and the competing claims to legitimate authority should have been resolved through the party’s constitutional mechanisms.
He also defended the judiciary’s role in adjudicating political disputes, noting that any party dissatisfied with a court judgment should pursue its grievances through the appropriate appellate process rather than resorting to public attacks on the judicial institution.
APC REJECTS BLAME FOR ADC’S INTERNAL CRISIS
The APC spokesman further dismissed attempts to implicate the ruling party in the ADC leadership dispute, questioning how the APC could be held responsible for disagreements, competing leadership claims and court actions initiated by members of the opposition party.
He specifically referenced the case instituted by ADC stakeholder Nafiu Bala Gombe, which culminated in the recent Federal High Court judgment, arguing that the dispute originated from the party’s internal affairs.
Oladejo insisted that the APC neither initiated the litigation nor determined the court’s judgment and should not be made a scapegoat for the ADC’s unresolved internal contradictions.
COALITION WITHOUT STRUCTURE, A RECIPE FOR INSTABILITY
On the broader political implications, Oladejo said the ADC crisis highlighted the dangers of building political coalitions around influential personalities and presidential ambitions without first establishing credible institutional structures.
He argued that sustainable political coalitions require internal cohesion, transparency, constitutional compliance, mutual trust and clearly defined leadership arrangements.
According to him, the ADC appears to have prioritised providing a political platform for prominent opposition figures without adequately resolving fundamental questions surrounding leadership succession, party authority and internal legitimacy.
He questioned the capacity of a political organisation struggling to manage its internal affairs to convince Nigerians of its readiness to govern a complex country.
APC WARNS AGAINST THREATS TO INEC, JUDICIARY
Oladejo also condemned reported threats by some ADC state and local government chairmen to organise nationwide protests against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the handling of the leadership dispute.
He described such threats as misplaced, arguing that political pressure and public demonstrations should not be used to intimidate independent institutions or compel them to act outside their constitutional responsibilities.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful protest, he maintained that demonstrations could not replace legal procedures or confer legitimacy on disputed leadership arrangements.
He urged the ADC to concentrate on resolving its internal crisis, exploring available legal remedies and rebuilding confidence among its members instead of escalating confrontations with INEC, the judiciary and the ruling party.
APC CONFIDENT IN ITS RECORD AND DEMOCRATIC MANDATE
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to multiparty democracy, Oladejo said the ruling party recognised the importance of a credible opposition in strengthening democratic accountability and providing Nigerians with political alternatives.
He, however, stressed that no opposition party should expect immunity from the consequences of its internal decisions or exemption from the laws governing political organisations.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s political structures, record and the democratic mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the party remained prepared to engage its competitors through policy alternatives, performance and electoral persuasion.
Oladejo concluded that the ADC crisis should serve as a lesson on the dangers of political shortcuts, unresolved internal disagreements and personal ambitions that undermine institutional discipline.
He said Nigeria deserved an opposition that was organised, internally democratic and committed to the rule of law, rather than one perpetually embroiled in internal conflicts and blaming the government for its own challenges.
“Political suicide is often not inflicted by one’s opponents. Sometimes, it is the inevitable consequence of one’s own choices,” he stated.
