The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed concerns over the possible exclusion of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from forthcoming elections, stating that “heaven will not fall” if the party fails to appear on the ballot.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the APC responded to what it described as an “outburst” by a faction of the ADC, which had alleged that directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may prevent it from fielding candidates.
The ruling party said democracy is governed by laws and institutional procedures, not by sentiment or 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 argued that the ADC’s predicament is self-inflicted, pointing to the opposition party’s internal crisis and leadership disputes. It noted that the APC itself had faced similar consequences in the past.
“In Zamfara State during the 2019 general elections, the APC was barred from fielding candidates due to invalid primaries, resulting in the Supreme Court nullifying all its victories. In Rivers State in the same election cycle, the party was excluded owing to internal disputes and flawed nomination processes”, the party recalled.
The APC said no political party is above the law, adding that the ADC’s growing reputation for disorder and procedural recklessness had reduced it to “a subject of public ridicule.”
The statement, signed by Lagos APC spokesman Mogaji Seye Oladejo, dismissed suggestions that the ruling party was responsible for the ADC’s troubles.
“The APC will not be blackmailed into accepting responsibility for the ADC’s ineptitude, recklessness, and desperation-driven miscalculations,” Oladejo said.
He advised opposition parties to put their houses in order and adhere strictly to electoral guidelines, adding that Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened through discipline, accountability, and respect for institutions.
“The electoral process is bigger than any single political party,” the statement concluded. “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.”
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