The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the party's consistent failure to win elections. APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, made the demand at a press conference on Friday, stating, "In fact, I will suggest that the ADC should be deregistered. They have not won any election since the coalition came on board." He pointed to the ADC's poor performance in the recent FCT council elections and multiple by-elections as evidence of its non-viability. The move follows public criticism by embattled ADC National Chairman, David Mark, who accused the APC-led government of pushing Nigeria toward a one-party state after INEC delisted his leadership.
Bashiru, flanked by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, dismissed claims of government interference, saying, "It's not the job of President Tinubu to help the opposition. It's not my job as a politician to help other parties, if they want to sink. Ordinarily, I should help them to sink." He accused Mark and other ADC leaders of flouting court orders by proceeding with internal party processes amid ongoing litigation at the Federal High Court. The APC also condemned the ADC's call for the resignation of INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, calling it an abuse of democratic norms. Bashiru further criticized Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi, alleging frequent party switching for political gain.
Ajibola Bashiru's suggestion that the APC should actively help opposition parties "sink" lays bare the ruling party's zero-sum view of Nigerian politics. When a national secretary speaks this openly about sabotage, it signals less concern for electoral competition than for unchecked dominance. The APC's push to deregister ADC over poor performance risks setting a precedent where electoral weakness, not legal breach, becomes grounds for disbandment. For Nigerian voters, this intensifies fears of a narrowing political space long before 2027.
