The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of attempting to destabilise the party following the defection of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The party alleged that pressure is being mounted on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), to interfere in its leadership structure.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said a letter dated March 28, 2026, written by some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, was part of an attempt to push INEC to invalidate certain party decisions.
According to the statement, the lawyers claimed to represent an expelled member of the party and were urging INEC to alter the party’s leadership arrangement before the courts reach a final decision on the dispute.
The party described the move as part of a broader plan to destabilise what it called the only viable opposition party left in the country.
The party said the defection of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had unsettled the ruling party and triggered renewed political pressure against ADC.
“The decision of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join our party has understandably sent jitters through the ruling party,” the statement said.
“Since then, top officials within the Federal Government have renewed their onslaught against our party in a bid to discourage other high-profile figures.”
ADC also addressed the claim by Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is reportedly challenging the party’s leadership.
According to the party, Gombe was never the chairman of the ADC and had earlier resigned his position alongside other members of the National Working Committee before being expelled.
The party therefore dismissed any attempt to restore him as chairman under the guise of maintaining the “status quo ante bellum.”
“Any attempt to recreate a ‘status quo’ that upgrades his position to National Chairman of the ADC at any point in time is, at best, fictitious,” the statement added.
The party called on INEC to remain guided by the Constitution and resist what it described as attempts to pressure the electoral body.
“We call on INEC to remain guided by the Constitution, resist all forms of pressure, and uphold its duty as an impartial umpire,” the statement said.
ADC added that the situation goes beyond the party, stressing that it concerns the ability of Nigerians to freely choose political alternatives.
“No amount of pressure, no manufactured confusion, and no distortion of legal processes will stop what is already in motion. The ADC is growing. Nigerians are joining. A credible opposition is taking shape.”
