Eshioromeh Sebastian
The African Democratic Congress has denied reports suggesting it is in talks with the Peoples Redemption Party ahead of an expected court judgment concerning its leadership dispute, insisting that the opposition coalition remains fully intact.
In a statement on Monday, the party spokesman, Bolaji Abdullah, described the claims as false and speculative.
“Our attention has been drawn to a story in circulation that the African Democratic Congress is in talks with another political party, specifically the Peoples Redemption Party, in anticipation of its court judgment,” Abdullah said.
“We would like to state categorically that this is not true.”
The ADC has recently emerged as a coalition platform for opposition parties and political actors seeking to unify efforts ahead of the 2027 elections. However, the party has been plagued by internal leadership disputes and legal challenges over its control and recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Abdullah clarified that the coalition leadership was not holding any such conversations with any political party at the moment.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that the illegal action taken against our leadership by INEC and other agents of the ruling party is upturned,” he stated.
“We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that multiparty democracy survives in Nigeria.”
While acknowledging openness to broader political collaboration, the spokesman said the party remained clear about the responsibility that the current moment had imposed on it.
“We are open to expanding the coalition to bring all opposition elements in the country together to rescue our country,” Abdullah said. “But we remain clear about the responsibility that this moment has imposed on us. We will not abdicate that responsibility.”
He also dismissed claims of a possible defection or abandonment of the ADC, urging the public to ignore what he described as preemptive and speculative suggestions.
“Therefore, any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is preemptive and speculative, and should be ignored,” he said.
On the ongoing legal and political situation, Abdullah expressed confidence that the judiciary would resist pressure to undermine democracy.
“Notwithstanding the flagrant bastardisation of democratic institutions, the ADC leadership remains confident that the judicial institutions will, at this defining moment, resist the pressure to be complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to the coalition and called on its members to remain steadfast as it pursued legal remedies against INEC’s actions.
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