The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has dismissed media reports suggesting it is in talks with the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, as a fallback option amid the crisis within its ranks.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
“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,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi described the report as false, adding: “We would like to state categorically that this is not true.”
He further clarified the party’s position on coalition discussions, stressing that no such negotiations are ongoing.
“The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment,” he said.
He added that the ADC remains focused on challenging what it described as illegal actions taken against its leadership.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that the illegal action taken against our leadership by INEC and other agents of the ruling party is overturned.
“We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that multiparty democracy survives in Nigeria,” he stated.
While acknowledging openness to broader political collaboration, Mr Abdullahi said the party remains resolute in its current stance.
“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 added.
He also dismissed claims of a possible defection or abandonment of the party, describing such suggestions as speculative.
“Therefore, any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is preemptive and speculative and should be ignored,” he said.
Despite the ongoing crisis, Mr Abdullahi expressed confidence in the judiciary.
“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.
