APC backs INEC, says ADC was hijacked by Mark-led leadership
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has backed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-recognise the factional leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that the party was hijacked by the David Mark-led executive.
On Wednesday, INEC announced that it would no longer accept correspondence from either of the two rival factions within the ADC, led by David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe. The commission said the decision followed its review of the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal.
In a statement, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC commissioner for information and voter education, said the commission would also refrain from engaging with both factions or monitoring their meetings, congresses, and conventions, pending the determination of the matter before the Federal High Court.
As part of the implementation of its decision, INEC also removed the names of the Mark-led executives from its portal, saying the action was in line with the appellate court ruling, which ordered that the status quo be maintained until the case is decided at the trial court.
The development sparked reactions on social media, with the Mark-led ADC rejecting INEC’s interpretation of the judgment and its stance on the party’s leadership crisis.
In a statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, accused the electoral body of acting under political pressure, alleging that the decision was influenced by a government intent on weakening opposition parties.
However, speaking on News Central TV on Thursday, Felix Morka, APC national publicity secretary, described the legal dispute surrounding the Mark-led faction as self-inflicted.
Morka said the APC had no involvement in the ADC’s internal crisis, insisting that the factional leadership was responsible for the party’s current predicament.
“The INEC decision to de-recognise the David Mark executive was utterly self-inflicted. APC didn’t do that. You orchestrated the hijack of the ADC by that executive. We didn’t. They did,” Morka said.
He argued that the faction ignored the party’s constitution and internal procedures in assuming leadership.
“They came in with parachutes; they took over the party without reference to the constitutional stipulations on succession and leadership structure. This is the consequence,” he added.
Morka further stated that the crisis was caused by the Mark-led leadership, which he accused of now shifting blame to the APC.
He also dismissed concerns over the defection of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to the ADC, saying the APC remained focused on its own internal preparations.
“We are not moved by Kwankwaso joining the ADC,” he said.
“As I’ve always maintained, we are only concerned about our level of preparation and the efforts we are making. We are focused on ourselves.”