The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to weaken and dismantle opposition political parties in Nigeria.
Mark made the allegation on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ADC led by him.
INEC had announced on Wednesday that it would no longer recognise the factions of the ADC led by David Mark and Rafiu Bala after reviewing a Court of Appeal judgment. The electoral body stated that its action was in compliance with an appellate court order directing it to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the party’s leadership dispute before a Federal High Court.
However, the Mark-led faction rejected INEC’s interpretation of the ruling, accusing the commission of acting under external pressure and interfering in the internal affairs of the party.
The leadership tussle between Mark and Bala has led to a series of legal battles over control of the party structure.
Addressing journalists, the former Senate President alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government has systematically undermined opposition parties across the country.
According to him, the ADC has remained a “bastion” protecting Nigeria’s democracy from what he described as creeping authoritarianism.
“What is now unfolding is a concerted effort to dismantle that last bulwark. If we allow this to happen, it could signal the end of our democracy as we know it today,” Mark said.
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He questioned why President Tinubu would be apprehensive about a credible electoral contest if he was confident in his administration’s performance.
“With 90 percent of the National Assembly and over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 state governors in the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, what are you afraid of?” Mark asked.
“If you are convinced that you have done well for the people who voted for you, why are you afraid of a free, fair, and transparent electoral contest? If you are indeed the democrat that you claim to be, why are you bent on destroying all opposition political parties in this country?”
Mark dismissed claims of parallel leadership within the ADC, insisting that there are no competing claims to the party’s leadership. He maintained that Rafiu Bala has “no locus” in the party’s leadership structure.
He further argued that INEC should have awaited the final determination of the Court of Appeal and the pending matter before the Federal High Court before taking any administrative action regarding the party’s leadership status.
The development adds a new dimension to the ongoing leadership crisis within the ADC and underscores mounting tensions between opposition parties and the electoral commission ahead of future electoral contests.