APC Blasts Rival ADC, Attributes Oppositions Woes To Incompetence, Leadership Arrogance

News Investigators/ The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has strongly dismissed allegations that the ruling party is interfering in the internal affairs of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the party’s ongoing leadership crisis as a direct consequence of internal failures rather than external manipulation.

His response comes amid escalating political tension following claims by ADC officials that powerful forces are working behind the scenes to destabilise the party at a critical moment in its growth.

The APC spokesman, in an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Tuesday, framed the situation as one rooted in poor governance culture within the opposition, insisting that attempts to externalise blame are both misleading and politically convenient.

“What we are witnessing, the meltdown of the ADC is nothing short of their own coordinated incompetence and their failure to conduct their affairs in a manner that is consistent with the expectations of a political party in a democracy. There’s nothing about the crisis within the ADC that has anything to do with the All Progressive Congress, the APC, nothing. It is purely the result of the internal dysfunction and the arrogance of the leaders of the ADC that has led them to the predicament that they now find themselves.”

Mr. Morka was responding to allegations by ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, to the effect that the ruling party was behind its current leadership crisis.

Mr. Abdullahi had alleged democratic suppression, warning that multiple opposition platforms were being systematically undermined to consolidate power.

However, the APC spokesman rejected this framing, arguing that it reflects a pattern among opposition figures to deflect responsibility whenever internal contradictions surface.

“There’s nothing about the crisis within the ADC that has anything to do with the APC or the President, and it is important that Nigerians begin to see through this pattern where opposition parties, instead of taking responsibility for their internal problems, are quick to point fingers at others. This is not about suppression, this is about failure of leadership within the ADC itself, and no amount of narrative twisting can change that reality.”

Providing further clarity on the origins of the crisis, Morka pointed to a legal dispute involving a party member, Nafiu Bala, as the immediate trigger of the instability currently rocking the ADC.

“This recent matter began with a case filed by a member of the ADC, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who, as I understand, was the Deputy National Chairman. In any political party, there are hierarchies. If the National Chairman resigns, the Deputy National Chairman is next in line. By that constitutional line of succession, he ought to assume leadership, even if in an acting capacity.”

He highlighted September 2, 2025, as a critical date when the lawsuit was filed at the Federal High Court, seeking formal recognition as the legitimate National Chairman.

“Let us keep that date in mind—September 2, 2025. That was when the action commenced at the Federal High Court, seeking to declare him the authentic National Chairman.”

He explained that the matter, which has now escalated through the judicial system, exposed significant procedural lapses on the part of the party’s leadership, particularly in how it approached appellate processes.

According to him, the failure to adhere strictly to legal requirements weakened the party’s position and ultimately led to adverse judicial outcomes that are now being misrepresented as politically motivated.

“The ADC went to court without getting the leave of court as required in an interlocutory appeal, and the Court of Appeal dismissed that appeal and returned the matter to the Federal High Court with clear orders. The court also instructed all parties to maintain the status quo, and what has followed since then has been a direct consequence of that judgment. So when people now attempt to twist this into a political conspiracy, it becomes very clear that they are simply trying to avoid responsibility for their own legal and procedural missteps.”

Mr. Morka also addressed the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, stressing that the electoral body acted strictly within the confines of the law and in obedience to court directives.

He warned against attempts to drag INEC into partisan controversies, noting that such narratives could erode public trust in democratic institutions if left unchecked.

According to him, the tendency to politicise institutional actions whenever outcomes are unfavourable is dangerous and undermines the rule of law.

“INEC acted based on that judgment, not based on any instruction from the APC or from any arm of government. The commission is bound by law to comply with decisions of the court, and that is exactly what it has done in this instance. So, for anyone to now suggest that INEC is acting under the influence of the APC is completely unfounded and does a disservice to the integrity of our democratic institutions.”

The APC spokesman maintained that the persistent attempt to link the ruling party to opposition crises is part of a broader political strategy aimed at shaping public perception rather than addressing real issues.

He argued that such narratives are often deployed to gain sympathy and divert attention from internal weaknesses that require urgent reform.

Morka insisted that governance and party administration demand discipline, structure, and adherence to democratic norms, all of which he claimed the ADC has failed to demonstrate in managing its affairs.

“This is a self-inflicted injury, and they should take responsibility for it instead of blaming others. You cannot run a political party in a manner that disregards due process, that ignores legal requirements, and then when the consequences come, you begin to look for external forces to blame. That is not how democracy works, and Nigerians deserve better than that kind of politics.”

Recall that ADC’s Bolaji Abdullahi alleged that individuals within the party had been lured with inducements that the ADC could not match, citing the case of Nafiu Bala as evidence of external infiltration designed to destabilise the party from within. However, the APC spokesman rejected Mr. Abdullahi’s framing entirely, arguing that it reflects a recurring pattern among opposition figures to deflect responsibility whenever internal crises emerge within their ranks.

He insisted that there is no evidence linking the APC or the presidency to the ADC crisis, maintaining that the narrative of suppression is politically motivated and unsupported by facts.
According to him, the tendency to blame external forces not only distorts reality but also prevents meaningful introspection within opposition parties.

“The fact that you call it an allegation does not impose on me or my party to respond to that. It doesn’t impose an obligation, first of all. You see, when you make an allegation, you must prove your allegation. Otherwise, if I decide that Peter, who is living somewhere in Maiduguri today, is a thief or stole a million naira, does that mean that Peter is a thief? No, it means that I have said so. For you to even take this seriously, I should offer you some evidence that, you know, Peter is a human being that is living in Maiduguri who stole something. When you make an allegation, it is you who has the duty to prove your allegation. If somebody accuses you of doing something wrong, they first have a duty to prove that you did something wrong. You don’t have any duty to prove you didn’t do anything. So, if I want to accuse somebody, all you have to do is just say, oh, you did this or you did that. You see, my point to you is that this is all ridiculous. You know, Bala Gombe is not somebody that is known to the party and the party has absolutely no involvement whatsoever in the life of, you know, Bala Gombe. Bala Gombe is a member of the ADC.”.


Expanding his argument, Mr. Morka suggested that the ADC crisis reflects a broader pattern among opposition parties in Nigeria, where internal disputes are frequently attributed to external interference rather than addressed through institutional reform.
He noted that such tendencies weaken the opposition’s credibility and limit its ability to present itself as a viable alternative to the ruling party.

“There is a consistent pattern where opposition parties, instead of fixing their internal problems, prefer to externalise blame. This does not help them, and it certainly does not help Nigerian democracy. If you cannot manage your own party, if you cannot resolve your internal conflicts within the framework of the law, then it raises serious questions about your capacity to govern a complex country like Nigeria.”

According to him, political maturity requires accountability, especially in moments of crisis.

Mr. Morka concluded by urging political actors to exercise greater responsibility in their public statements, particularly when such statements have implications for public trust in democratic institutions.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened when political parties operate within the bounds of the law and respect the independence of institutions such as the judiciary and electoral bodies.

“Nigeria’s democracy depends on strong institutions and responsible political actors. When we begin to undermine institutions simply because decisions do not favour us, we are setting a dangerous precedent. What is required at this moment is not blame-shifting, but a commitment to doing things right, to following due process, and to respecting the rule of law.”