The All Progressives Congress APC has backed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to withdraw recognition from factions of the African Democratic Congress ADC, attributing the crisis to the party’s leadership under former Senate President David Mark.
INEC had earlier announced that it would no longer recognise or engage with rival ADC factions led by Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The electoral body said the move followed a review of a recent Court of Appeal ruling and that it would maintain the status quo pending a final decision by the Federal High Court.
The decision also included removing the names of the Mark led executives from its official portal, a development that triggered strong reactions from members of that faction.
Reacting, APC spokesperson, Felix Morka, described the situation as self inflicted and denied any involvement by the ruling party in the ADC’s internal crisis.
“INEC decision to de recognise the David Mark executive was utterly self inflicted. APC didn’t do that. You orchestrate the hijack of the ADC by that executive. We didn’t. They did,” Morka said.
He further accused the Mark led leadership of ignoring the party’s constitution in assuming control.
“You come in with your parachutes; you take over the party without reference to the constitutional stipulation about succession and how leadership is ordered in that party. This is the consequence,” he added.
The ADC faction loyal to Mark has, however, rejected INEC’s position, accusing the commission of acting under external pressure.
