The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should have gone beyond de-recognising the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and instead deregistered the party entirely.

Speaking with journalists at the party’s National Secretariat on Friday, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, alongside National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the ADC as a party that has failed to make any meaningful electoral impact.

Basiru argued that the ADC’s poor performance in elections and its recurring internal disputes make a strong case for its removal from the list of registered political parties.

Citing recent elections, he noted that the ADC failed to secure any seats in by-elections across 17 constituencies, as well as in area council polls in the Federal Capital Territory, where it did not win any chairmanship or councillorship positions. He added that the party also performed poorly in state constituency by-elections held in Rivers and Kano states.

According to him, the party’s overall vote count in these elections was insignificant, stressing that its continued existence only drains national resources.

The APC also dismissed claims by a faction of the ADC led by David Mark that President Bola Tinubu is working to weaken opposition parties and establish a one-party system.

The ruling party maintained that the ADC’s challenges are self-inflicted, arising from a flawed leadership transition that has been rejected by the Court of Appeal.

Basiru criticised the opposition for what he described as double standards, saying they often accuse the system of failing when court rulings go against them, but celebrate it when decisions favour them.

On the legal dispute within the ADC, he explained that the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by the David Mark faction on procedural grounds and directed all parties to maintain the status quo.

The APC stressed that INEC is only implementing the court’s directive and is not acting under any external influence, including from the presidency.

He advised that if the aggrieved faction is dissatisfied with INEC’s interpretation, it should seek redress through appropriate legal channels rather than resort to public confrontation.

The party further criticised the ADC’s call for the removal of the INEC Chairman and commissioners, questioning the logic behind such demands.

According to Basiru, even if the current leadership of INEC were removed, any new appointments would still be made in line with constitutional provisions, raising questions about the opposition’s consistency.

The APC urged the ADC to resolve its internal disputes instead of blaming external forces, recalling its own experience in Zamfara State where internal issues led to electoral losses without accusations of conspiracy.

It also warned that any attempt by the ADC to proceed with party congresses in defiance of the court’s directive to maintain the status quo would be illegal and could attract consequences.