The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of attempting to destabilise the party following the defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alleging that pressure is being mounted on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Ojo Amupitan, to interfere in its internal affairs.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party claimed that the alleged interference is part of a broader plan to weaken its growing opposition force.
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The ADC said a letter dated March 28, 2026, written by a group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on behalf of an expelled party member, is being used to pressure INEC into taking decisions that could alter the party’s leadership structure before the courts reach a final ruling.
The development reflects broader trends in APC political updates across Nigeria.
According to the party, the letter urged INEC to adopt a particular interpretation of a Court of Appeal judgment relating to the principle of “status quo ante bellum,” and allegedly threatened the commission’s chairman with arrest if the demands were not met within seven days.
“The writers want INEC to invalidate party meetings, remove recognised officials, and hand over the affairs of the party to a specific individual, even though the case itself has not been fully decided by the courts,” the statement said.
The ADC further alleged that the move is politically motivated and linked to Kwankwaso’s recent entry into the party, which it said has unsettled the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The decision of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join our party has understandably sent jitters through the ruling party,” the statement added, claiming that government officials have intensified efforts to discourage other prominent figures from joining the ADC.
The party also dismissed claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe regarding the party’s leadership, stating that he was never its national chairman and had resigned alongside other members of the National Working Committee before being expelled.
It warned against what it described as attempts to “manufacture confusion” within its ranks and insisted that it would resist any interference through constitutional means.
The ADC called on INEC to remain impartial and adhere strictly to constitutional provisions in handling the matter.
“This is bigger than the ADC. It is about whether Nigerians can freely choose a different path,” the party said.
