The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing concerns over the opposition party's continued use of what it described as a non-compliant logo. Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the party's national secretary, stated that the APC leadership, including President Bola Tinubu, remains undisturbed by criticisms from the ADC regarding electoral processes. He dismissed the ADC's claims of systemic bias as baseless, asserting that the ruling party is focused on upholding constitutional procedures rather than engaging in what he termed "theatrics." The APC's position hinges on INEC's earlier directive that political parties must use only approved symbols, a rule the ADC allegedly breached by retaining a logo previously rejected by the electoral body.
Basiru emphasized that the APC is not threatened by opposition rhetoric, particularly on matters of electoral credibility. "The President and the party are not bothered," he said, describing the ADC's actions as a distraction rather than a legitimate challenge to electoral integrity. The APC insists that any party failing to comply with INEC's guidelines should face consequences, including potential deregistration. The electoral commission has not yet responded to the APC's demand. Legal experts note that while INEC has the authority to enforce compliance, deregistration remains a rare and extreme measure typically reserved for parties that fundamentally violate operational rules.
When the APC demands ADC's deregistration over a logo dispute, it frames administrative compliance as a threat to national electoral stability — but the real message is about consolidating political space. By elevating a symbol issue to a constitutional concern, the ruling party signals that deviation from established norms, even in form, will not be tolerated. This sets a precedent where procedural adherence becomes a tool for managing opposition visibility.
