The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports claiming it is in talks with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) over a possible political alliance ahead of an expected court judgment on its leadership crisis, describing the speculation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said there were no ongoing discussions with the PRP or any other political party regarding abandoning its current structure.
“Our attention has been drawn to a story in circulation that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is in talks with another political party, specifically the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), in anticipation of its court judgment,” Abdullahi said.
“We would like to state categorically that this is not true.”
The party stressed that its coalition leadership was not engaged in any such negotiation and remained focused on challenging what it described as illegal actions taken against its leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and agents of the ruling party.
“The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment,” he stated.
“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. We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that multiparty democracy survives in Nigeria.”
Abdullahi noted that while the ADC remains open to strengthening opposition alliances and bringing together political forces across the country, it has no plans to abandon the party or its current legal battle.
“While we are open to expanding the coalition to bring all opposition elements in the country together to rescue our country, we remain clear about the responsibility that this moment has imposed on us. We will not abdicate that responsibility,” he said.
The party therefore urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting it was considering leaving the ADC platform.
“Therefore, any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is preemptive and speculative, and should be ignored,” the statement added.
The ADC also expressed confidence in the judiciary, despite what it described as growing pressure on democratic institutions, saying the courts must rise to defend Nigeria’s democratic values.
“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,” Abdullahi stated.
