2027: Heaven Won’t Fall If ADC Is Not On Ballot — APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed concerns raised by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the possibility of being excluded from upcoming elections in 2027, insisting that compliance with electoral laws remains non-negotiable and that “heaven will not fall” if the party is excluded.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said the APC’s attention had been drawn to what he described as the “latest outburst” by the ADC, which alleged that directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could prevent it from fielding candidates in forthcoming elections.

“While political pluralism remains a cornerstone of democracy, it must be stated unequivocally that democracy is governed by laws and institutional procedures, not by sentiment, entitlement, or alarmist propaganda,” he said.

He stressed that INEC, as the constitutionally empowered electoral body, operates strictly within the bounds of the law to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

“Compliance is not optional. Any political party that fails to meet stipulated requirements must bear the full consequences of its own actions,” Oladejo added.

The APC spokesman argued that the ADC’s predicament was neither new nor exceptional, citing past instances where his party suffered similar setbacks.

“In Zamfara State during the 2019 general elections, the APC was barred from fielding candidates due to invalid primaries, resulting in the Supreme Court nullifying all its victories,” he said.

“In Rivers State in the same election cycle, the party was excluded owing to internal disputes and flawed nomination processes, as affirmed by the courts.”

According to him, these precedents underscore the principle that no political party is above the law.

He accused the ADC of attempting to deflect blame, describing the opposition party as “faction-ridden” and prone to “disorder, indiscipline, and procedural recklessness.”

“It is therefore disingenuous for a faction-ridden opposition party to externalize blame and attempt to cast the ruling party as a scapegoat for what are clearly self-inflicted wounds,” Oladejo said.

He further criticised the ADC’s leadership, saying those once regarded as experienced statesmen now appear “directionless, incoherent, and incapable of managing even the most basic requirements of party organisation.”

“Their failure to demonstrate discipline, cohesion, and respect for due process raises serious doubts about their fitness for democratic engagement,” he added.

The APC spokesman also suggested that some members of the ADC were uncomfortable with constitutional order due to their past associations with eras of arbitrariness.

Reaffirming the ruling party’s stance, Oladejo said the APC would not accept responsibility for what he termed the ADC’s “ineptitude, recklessness, and desperation-driven miscalculations.”

“As they scramble in search of another political platform to appropriate, they would be well advised to acquaint themselves with the legal principle of caveat emptor — let the buyer beware,” he said.

He maintained that the electoral process transcends any single political party.

“The electoral process is bigger than any single political party. Heaven will not fall if the ADC or any other party fails to appear on the ballot as a result of its own non-compliance,” he stated.

Oladejo urged political parties to focus on internal reforms rather than public complaints.

“Rather than resort to noisy lamentations and public theatrics, political parties should put their houses in order, resolve internal contradictions, and adhere strictly to electoral guidelines,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened through “discipline, accountability, and respect for institutions, not through excuses and manufactured outrage.”

The APC reiterated its commitment to credible elections and called on all stakeholders to act in ways that build public trust in the democratic process.