The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to stop blaming President Bola Tinubu for its internal leadership crisis. Addressing a news conference in Abuja, APC National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru stated that the ADC must take responsibility for its own failures rather than making baseless allegations.

The APC dismissed claims that the President is attempting to stifle the opposition to create a one-party state. Basiru noted that Nigeria still has 22 registered parties and reminded the ADC that it is their own lack of internal democracy that led to their current legal battles. He remarked, “No amount of external finger-pointing can erase their consistent failures or resolve their lingering leadership issues.”

The ruling party highlighted that the ADC’s troubles stem from a factional dispute involving David Mark, which resulted in unfavorable court rulings. The APC emphasized that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is simply following judicial orders to maintain the status quo. Basiru asked, “Where does President Tinubu feature in this, if not malicious propaganda?”

The APC further criticized the ADC’s defiance of court orders, warning that holding unauthorized congresses would only lead to further legal nullification. Using its own past losses in Zamfara as an example of judicial consequences, the APC noted there was “no outrage, no conspiracy theories, just consequences of failing to put your house in order.”

The ruling party also slammed the ADC’s demand for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners, calling the request “preposterous.” Basiru suggested that the ADC focus on winning elections instead of making noise, adding, “It is wishful thinking to expect other parties to rescue it from problems it has repeatedly failed to manage.”

The APC asserted that political relevance is earned through the ballot box, pointing out the ADC’s poor performance in recent local and by-elections. Defending the administration’s stance on the rule of law, Basiru concluded, “President Tinubu has no power to deregister any political party,” and urged the opposition to focus on genuine party administration.