NIGERIA: Heaven Will Not Fall If ADC Is Not On The Ballot, APC Declares

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed concerns raised by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over possible exclusion from forthcoming elections, declaring that the absence of the ADC on the ballot would not derail Nigeria’s democratic process.

In a statement signed by its Spokesman, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, released on Tuesday, the APC said it was reacting to what it described as the “latest outburst” by the ADC faction, which alleged that directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could prevent it from fielding candidates.

While acknowledging that political pluralism is essential to democracy, the Lagos APC insisted that the system is governed by laws and institutional procedures, not by sentiment or alarmist propaganda.

“INEC, as the constitutionally empowered electoral body, operates strictly within the bounds of the law to safeguard the integrity, order, and credibility of the electoral process. Compliance is not optional,” the statement read.

The APC noted that the situation facing the ADC is neither new nor exceptional, citing its own past experiences. In the 2019 general elections, the APC was barred from fielding candidates in Zamfara State due to invalid primaries, leading to the Supreme Court nullifying all its victories.

Similarly, in Rivers State, the party was excluded because of internal disputes and flawed nomination processes, as upheld by the courts.

“These precedents reinforce a simple truth: no political party is above the law, and no amount of noise can substitute for compliance,” the APC stated.

The ruling party accused the ADC of attempting to externalise blame and cast the APC as a scapegoat for what it called “self-inflicted wounds.”

It described the ADC as faction-ridden, disorderly, and reckless, saying its leadership had become a subject of public ridicule due to indiscipline and inability to meet basic party organisational requirements.

The statement further questioned the fitness of some ADC leaders for democratic engagement, noting their apparent discomfort with constitutional order and institutional discipline.

The Lagos APC firmly rejected any attempt to blackmail it into accepting responsibility for the ADC’s challenges.

It advised the opposition party to put its house in order rather than resort to “noisy lamentations and public theatrics.”

“Heaven will not fall if the ADC — or any other party — fails to appear on the ballot as a result of its own non-compliance,” the APC declared.

The party urged all political parties to resolve internal contradictions and adhere strictly to electoral guidelines, stressing that Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened through discipline, accountability, and respect for institutions.

“The APC remains steadfast in its commitment to free, fair, and credible elections and urges all stakeholders to act in ways that build, rather than erode, public confidence in the democratic process,” the statement concluded.

The sharp response from the Lagos APC comes amid reported crises within the ADC, as several opposition groups struggle with internal divisions and regulatory compliance ahead of future elections.