A member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mukhtar Adnan, has alleged a deliberate attempt to weaken opposition parties in Nigeria, describing the ongoing leadership crisis within the party as an abuse of democratic principles.
Speaking with journalists, Adnan, a former Kano State House of Assembly aspirant, explained that the crisis began after the party’s National Working Committee was dissolved and a new leadership structure was introduced.
He maintained that the emergence of David Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary followed due process. According to him, the transition was formally concluded during a public unveiling held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Adnan further revealed that one member of the dissolved committee who had earlier submitted a resignation letter acknowledged by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later claimed he never resigned. The individual subsequently approached the court and secured an order directing all parties to maintain the status quo.
He said this development led to the removal of the names of David Mark and Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal, creating confusion within the party.
Describing the situation as more than an internal dispute, Adnan alleged political interference, claiming that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the government were involved in efforts to destabilise the ADC.
“It is obvious that this is a calculated move to weaken the party. This amounts to an abuse of democracy,” he said.
Adnan also suggested that the alleged interference is driven by fears ahead of the 2027 general elections. He claimed that Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his allies want to suppress strong opposition to secure an easier electoral victory.
Despite the controversy, he expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold democratic values, stressing that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where citizens have the right to political association.
He warned that weakening opposition parties could have serious long-term consequences, noting that no democracy can thrive without a vibrant opposition.
Adnan also criticised INEC, accusing the commission of meddling in the party’s internal affairs. He argued that the Supreme Court has already established that party leadership disputes should be resolved internally, not imposed externally.
“The law is clear if there is a dispute, the courts should decide, not INEC,” he said.
Despite the crisis, Adnan insisted that the ADC is gaining visibility and support nationwide, particularly at the grassroots level.
He encouraged party leaders to stay focused, develop a strong manifesto, and present credible candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adnan also took aim at some members of the National Assembly, accusing them of failing to represent the interests of the people.
“Many of them lack credibility and have compromised their principles for personal gain,” he added.
