Nigeria's political landscape is currently agitated by a deep-seated leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), sparking contentious exchanges between the party's factions and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). A faction of the ADC, led by National Chairman David Mark, has vehemently accused President Bola Tinubu and the APC of orchestrating interference in opposition party affairs and leveraging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to weaken political adversaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. The APC, through its National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, has categorically rejected these allegations, dismissing them as baseless propaganda designed to deflect from the ADC's internal disputes.

The controversy escalated following INEC's decision to de-recognize key ADC figures, including David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, citing compliance with a court order to maintain the status quo. However, the Mark-led faction described INEC's actions as unlawful and a direct attack on democratic principles. During a press briefing on Thursday, April 2, David Mark called for the immediate resignation or sack of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan and all National Commissioners, expressing a complete loss of confidence in their ability to conduct credible elections. He argued that INEC's move was partisan and part of a broader agenda to ensure President Tinubu emerges as the sole viable option for Nigerians by 2027, despite widespread suffering and insecurity in the country.

Mark detailed the internal processes that led to his leadership, stating that a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025, which was monitored by INEC officials, dissolved the previous National Working Committee and ratified a caretaker committee with himself as National Chairman. He noted that INEC subsequently uploaded the names of the new NWC members on September 9, 2025. Mark highlighted the case of Nafiu Bala, a former Deputy National Chairman, who resigned on May 17, 2025, but later approached the courts on September 2, 2025, seeking recognition as Chairman, despite INEC's prior awareness of the new leadership and Bala's resignation.

The embattled ADC chairman further challenged INEC's interpretation of “status quo ante bellum,” a directive from the Court of Appeal to maintain the pre-existing state. Mark contended that no legal precedent supported INEC's decision to invent a status quo that left the ADC without leadership. He accused INEC of acting in contempt of the Court of Appeal and undermining citizens' rights, asserting that the commission should have sought judicial clarification if it was genuinely confused. The implications of INEC's decision, according to Mark, include jeopardizing ADC's participation in upcoming Osun and Ekiti elections and disrupting its scheduled congresses on April 9, 2026, and a national convention on April 14, 2026.

In a direct address to President Tinubu, Mark questioned his democratic credentials and challenged him to face a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest if he believed he had served the people well. He warned that INEC, under Professor Joash Amupitan, would be held directly responsible for any adverse consequences arising from its “criminal path.”

Conversely, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru vehemently denied any presidential involvement in the ADC's crisis. Speaking in Abuja, Basiru labeled the accusations as “misleading” and “propaganda,” clarifying that President Tinubu possesses no constitutional or legal authority to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties or INEC. He asserted that the ongoing turmoil within the ADC stemmed purely from internal disagreements and existing legal challenges, rather than any external manipulation.

Basiru defended INEC's stance, explaining that the electoral body acted in accordance with a Court of Appeal ruling that dismissed an appeal by the Mark-led faction and mandated all parties to maintain the status quo. He questioned the logic behind dragging President Tinubu into these claims, attributing it to “fallacious and malicious propaganda.” The APC also criticized the ADC faction for allegedly disregarding court processes by proceeding with party activities such as congresses despite ongoing litigation. Basiru dismissed calls for the removal of INEC officials as reckless, suggesting they indicated a fundamental misunderstanding of democratic institutions. Furthermore, he questioned the ADC faction's credibility as a strong opposition force, citing what he described as poor electoral performance and a lack of public trust. The APC urged the opposition group to prioritize resolving its internal issues, emphasizing that “blaming other parties will not fix their internal crisis” and “no amount of external finger-pointing can resolve their lingering leadership issues.”

The escalating verbal confrontation underscores the fragile state of inter-party relations and the intense scrutiny on electoral processes in Nigeria as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with the ADC faction demanding accountability from INEC and the presidency, while the APC maintains its innocence and calls for internal introspection from the opposition.