Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Farouk Aliyu, has rejected allegations that the governing party is influencing decisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission, declaring that the APC has no role in the electoral body’s handling of the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Thursday, Aliyu said, “I assure you, APC has no hand in it. We are not colluding with them. We have nothing to do with what INEC is doing.”
His remarks come as INEC announced it would no longer recognise factions of the ADC led by David Mark or Rafiu Bala Gombe, following its review of a Court of Appeal judgement and ongoing proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
INEC said it received conflicting correspondences from opposing factions within the party and resolved to “maintain the status quo ante bellum” pending the court’s final determination. The commission also stated it would refrain from engaging with either faction and would remove previously uploaded names of the party’s national working committee from its portal.
The decision has triggered backlash from the Mark-led faction of the ADC, with the party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, accusing INEC of bias and external influence. Abdullahi alleged that “the electoral body acted under pressure from a government panicked by the opposition momentum,” adding, “INEC has caved to pressure and has chosen to side with the government against the Nigerian people.”
But Aliyu dismissed the claims, insisting the APC should not be blamed for internal disputes within opposition parties. “Anything that will bring, you know, impression that we, the ruling party, have anything to do with this kind of thing, we don’t,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns over INEC’s actions, Aliyu questioned the commission’s delay in responding to court developments.
Despite this, he maintained that the electoral body’s decisions remain independent of the ruling party. “So that is INEC. I’m not INEC, but it is unfair for anybody to blame APC for that,” he added.
Aliyu further argued that the opposition’s challenges are largely self-inflicted, saying, “This opposition party, they are simply not serious.”
On the broader political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, he said emerging alliances and defections should be seen within the context of competitive politics, not conspiracy. “So politically speaking, we are doing things in a political manner to also harm them, politically speaking… So whatever also they do, it’s fair game,” he said.
Addressing the influence of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aliyu acknowledged his strength in Kano politics but limited his national reach. “Well, Kwankwaso is certainly not just a one-state man, but the truth of the matter is he is stronger in Kano, and he cannot be ignored,” he said.
He added, “But yes, you also cannot disregard the people that think that he’s a one-state man… outside Kano, I don’t think that it’s anywhere he has that kind of control.”
On the credibility of future elections, Aliyu expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, urging citizens to exercise their power at the ballot box. “Well, I sincerely believe that there will be democracy… Nigerians are going to decide… Please, when it comes to the election, let Nigerians vote us out,” he said.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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