National Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has defended the APC’s call for INEC to de-register the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), saying parties that fail to meet electoral thresholds should not remain on the ballot.
He added that the ADC has been rejected by the Nigerian people.
Basiru said this while speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday.
“The Nigerian Constitution is clear: when a party fails to meet certain electoral thresholds, it should be de-registered. As a political party in a contest, we don’t want our ballot papers cluttered with irrelevant and unviable parties. That was the basis for calling INEC’s attention to the ADC. There are even court cases pending on this matter.
“In the FCT elections, the ADC won zero area council positions and zero councilor seats. They claim to be the leading opposition, but they’ve been rejected by the Nigerian people. As citizens and a registered party, we must point out that they shouldn’t be wasting public space if they don’t meet constitutional requirements,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the perception of weakening opposition, Senator Basiru said it was not the responsibility of the APC to organise or strengthen rival parties.
“It isn’t the APC’s job to help the opposition organize themselves,” he stated.
He maintained that internal crises within opposition parties were self-inflicted and should not be blamed on the ruling party.
“The law is clear on status quo ante bellum. If you don’t have a viable legal department, that’s not the APC’s problem. We mind our own business. If they organize in a way that weakens them, so be it.”
Addressing concerns about 2027, Ajibola Basiru said the APC is confident in its strength, citing its nationwide structure, membership register, and regular mobilisation efforts.
“Talk is cheap. 2027 is around the corner. Even if they group themselves into thousands, they cannot defeat the APC. I say this because we have a structure. As of today, the APC is the only party fully complying with the law and organizing itself properly. We were the first to submit our register to INEC—12 million members, verified with phone numbers. We’re the only party publishing our financial dealings as required. We organize programs every week and month to mobilize our people,” Basiru maintained.
Responding to whether the APC is comfortable facing 2027 without a viable opposition, the APC National Secretary, Basiru said the party is prepared for the elections regardless of the opposition’s strength.
“We are ready for the 2027 election. Whatever opposition comes, we are ready.”
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