The ADC is now experiencing a leadership crisis as it prepares to run against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the general elections of 2027 and remove President Bola Tinubu.
Currently, the opposition party is split into two major sections, one headed by former senate president Mr. Mark and the other by former party vice chairman Nafiu Bala.
Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola is the national secretary of Mark’s group, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Patty presidential candidate Peter Obi, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and several others.
INEC halted its recognition of both party groups’ leaders on Wednesday.
The commission stated that the Court of Appeal’s order, which required the disputing parties to preserve the status quo ante bellum while a substantive lawsuit was being heard by the Federal High Court in Abuja, served as the basis for its conclusion.
In reaction, Mr. Mark’s leadership called for the INEC Chairperson, Joash Amupitan, to step down immediately. They accused the electoral authority of subverting democracy and meddling in political party internal affairs.
However, Mr. Amupitan defended the commission’s decision, stating that it was fully governed by court orders and would continue to be in force until the court overturned it.
In recent days, the development has sparked controversy as a number of opposition individuals have accused President Tinubu of trying to establish a one-party state. If this accusation is accurate, it might jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy before the 2027 elections.
According to Mr. Abdullahi, the faction is building a network of Special Representatives in major world capitals in order to increase its worldwide involvement.
The action, he continued, coincides with growing attacks on its members, attempts to weaken its leadership, and measures to limit political engagement in advance of the 2027 elections.
“We are building a Special Representatives Network around major world capitals as part of our attempts to improve international engagement in order to interact with other governments, disseminate reliable information about Nigeria’s political environment, and refute biased government narratives.
In the run-up to the 2027 General Elections, he observed, “this comes amid growing attacks on our members, attempts to undermine our leadership, and efforts to restrict political participation.”
According to the spokesperson, the network would regularly provide briefings on political events, human rights issues, and electoral integrity to foreign governments, international media, democratic organizations, and the Nigerian diaspora.
“Our representatives will provide regular briefings on political developments, human rights concerns, and electoral integrity to foreign governments, international media, democracy institutions, and the Nigerian diaspora,” he said.
A National Documentation Initiative to systematically monitor and record events impacting political involvement nationwide was also announced.
In order to systematically monitor and record incidences that impact political participation throughout Nigeria, we are also initiating a National Documentation Initiative.
“ADC is creating a global platform for accountability from Washington, DC, to London, Brussels, and Addis Ababa.” Everyone needs to see, hear, and support Nigeria’s democracy.
