The Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to the comments of the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Seye Oladejo, with regard to the leadership crisis within it as dismissive and troubling.
In a statement issued by Mr Olusegun Adekayero, on behalf of the Directorate of Communication of the ADC, on Tuesday, stated that the comments by Oladejo are a reflection of the ruling party’s attitude toward democratic inclusion and political plurality.
The ADC stated that while it acknowledges that electoral processes are governed by laws and institutional frameworks, it is both misleading and irresponsible for the APC to trivialise legitimate concerns raised by opposition parties regarding transparency, fairness, and administrative consistency in the conduct of elections.
“The ADC firmly rejects the insinuation that its concerns stem from non-compliance or internal disarray. On the contrary, our party has consistently demonstrated commitment to due process, internal democracy, and adherence to guidelines as stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Raising concerns about procedural ambiguities or potential administrative bias should not be misconstrued as weakness but recognised as a necessary part of safeguarding democracy,” the statement reads.
Adekayero further added that “It is ironic that the APC, which has previously suffered exclusion in states such as Zamfara and Rivers due to legal and procedural failures, now seeks to weaponise those experiences as justification for dismissing the concerns of others.
“Those very precedents underscore the importance of vigilance, fairness, and equal application of the law, not selective interpretation or political arrogance.”
ADC in the statement added that democracy thrives not merely on legal compliance, but on inclusiveness, transparency, and the confidence of all stakeholders in the system, adding that “Any attempt—whether direct or indirect—to undermine the participation of legitimate political parties raises serious questions about the health of our democratic process.”
The ADC will not be intimidated or silenced by rhetoric that seeks to delegitimise its voice. We remain committed to engaging all lawful mechanisms to ensure that our candidates and supporters are not unjustly excluded from the electoral process.
We call on INEC to continue to uphold its constitutional responsibility with utmost neutrality, transparency, and fairness to all political parties.
Furthermore, we urge the APC to rise above dismissive commentary and instead contribute constructively to strengthening democratic institutions in Nigeria.
