…INEC reacts
CITIZENS COMPASS— The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, reacted to the current hurdle facing the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
APC described the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) to derecognize ADC leadership by
former Senate President, David Mark and a former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as “utterly self-inflicted.”
Citizens Compass reported that INEC announced the removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC respectively, citing an ongoing court dispute.
Speaking on News Central on Thursday, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed claims that the ruling party influenced the development, insisting that the opposition created its own crisis.
As I’ve always maintained, we are focused on our preparations and efforts. It is the opposition that is obsessed with what APC does,” Morka said.
He added that the APC had no role in the internal wrangling within the ADC that prompted INEC’s decision.
“Even the most recent development, the INEC decision to derecognize the David Mark executive, was completely self-inflicted. APC didn’t do that. APC did not orchestrate the hijack of the ADC by that executive,” he stated.
Morka said the crisis stemmed from alleged violations of the party’s constitution by the affected leadership.
They acted without regard for the rule of law or their party’s constitution. The party has clear succession rules, yet they parachuted in and took over without following these guidelines. This is the consequence,” he explained.
He added that those criticising the APC over the matter were responsible for their own predicament.
This situation was manufactured by the very people now complaining and pointing fingers at APC. We are not concerned about that,” Morka concluded.
Earlier, INEC removed the names of Mark and Aregbesola from its portal as national chairman and national secretary of the ADC, respectively.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted it will proceed with its planned congresses and national convention despite the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its leadership crisis.
Speaking on Arise TV, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC has already fulfilled the legal requirement by notifying INEC of its plans.
Similarly, heavily armed soldiers and heavily equipped police operatives on Thursday, took over the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja following the move by members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to embark on protests.
Nigerian Army personnel were seen stationed around the commission’s premises, alongside armoured tanks and officers of the Nigeria Police Force bearing assault rifles and other weapons.
