ADC Accuses Ruling Party of Orchestrating Pressure on INEC to Destabilize Opposition
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised serious allegations against the ruling party, claiming a coordinated effort to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into destabilizing the opposition party. This development follows the high-profile defection of former Sokoto state Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the ADC, which the party suggests has triggered political unease within the federal government.
Allegations of Political Interference and Legal Manipulation
In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC asserted that the APC-led federal government is attempting to pressure INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), to interfere in the party's leadership. The party highlighted a March 28, 2026, letter from a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, purportedly representing an expelled member, as a key tool in this alleged scheme.
The ADC claims this letter is being used to push INEC to invalidate party actions and alter its structure before court rulings are finalized, describing it as part of a grand plan to destabilize what they call the only viable opposition party remaining in the country.
Details of the Alleged Conspiracy
The party elaborated that the decision of Senator Kwankwaso to join their ranks has sent jitters through the ruling party, leading to renewed onslaughts against the ADC to discourage other high-profile figures from defecting. The conspiracy, according to the ADC, centers on a legal dispute being pushed beyond the courtroom.
In the contentious letter, the writers allegedly threatened the INEC chairman with arrest if he does not grant their request within seven days. They are accused of seeking to have INEC invalidate party meetings, remove recognized officials, and hand over party affairs to a specific individual, despite the case not being fully decided by the courts.
ADC's Response and Call for Impartiality
The ADC firmly rejected these moves, stating that Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is claiming grievance over the ADC leadership, was never the Chairman of the ADC and had resigned his position alongside other National Working Committee members before being expelled. The party labeled any attempt to recreate a status quo that upgrades his position to National Chairman as fictitious.
Promising to resist using all constitutional means, the ADC emphasized that no amount of pressure, manufactured confusion, or distortion of legal processes will halt their growth. They called on INEC to remain guided by the Constitution, resist all forms of pressure, and uphold its duty as an impartial umpire in the political landscape.
