No Plan To Abandon ADC, Says Mark-led Coalition

The Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports suggesting it is in talks with other political parties ahead of an anticipated court judgment on its leadership dispute.

Reacting to the claims, the national publicity secretary of ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that no such negotiations were taking place.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story in circulation that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is in talks with another political party, specifically the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), in anticipation of its court judgment,” Abdullahi said.

“We would like to state categorically that this is not true. The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment,” he added.

He emphasized that the coalition remains firmly committed to the ADC, stressing that it has no intention of abandoning the party despite ongoing legal and political challenges.

“Any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is preemptive and speculative, and should be ignored,” he stated.

Abdullahi further accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and “agents of the ruling party” of taking actions against the coalition’s leadership, which he described as unlawful.

“We are fully committed to ensuring that the illegal action taken against our leadership by INEC and other agents of the ruling party is upturned. We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that multiparty democracy survives in Nigeria,” he said.

While reaffirming its loyalty to the ADC, the coalition acknowledged the need for broader opposition collaboration, noting that it remains open to alliances aimed at strengthening democratic opposition in the country.

“While we are open to expanding the coalition to bring all opposition elements in the country together to rescue our country, we remain clear about the responsibility that this moment has imposed on us. We will not abdicate that responsibility,” Abdullahi said.

He also expressed confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice in the ongoing dispute, despite what he described as pressures on democratic institutions.

“Notwithstanding the flagrant bastardisation of democratic institutions, the ADC leadership remains confident that the judicial institutions will, at this defining moment, resist the pressure to be complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.

The statement comes amid heightened political tension within the ADC over its leadership crisis and speculation about possible realignments ahead of future elections.