The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to stage a protest in Abuja using hired individuals to discredit its leadership.
In a statement shared on X on Wednesday, the ADC said the planned protest is part of a wider attempt to weaken the party following recent political developments.
The statement was signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
Titled “APC’s Desperate Plan Uncovered,” the party alleged that the move came after what it described as a failed attempt by APC figures to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the ADC.
“Yesterday, we disclosed a sinister plot by agents of the ruling APC government to pressure INEC into taking illegal action to destabilise our party, following the milestone movement of H.E. Rabiu Kwankwaso to the ADC. After meeting a brick wall with INEC, they have now changed tactics, but the objectives remain the same,” the statement read.
The ADC further claimed that a protest scheduled for Thursday, April 2, in Abuja is being coordinated with the backing of a top government official. According to the party, the demonstration is not organic but carefully arranged to create a false impression of internal crisis.
“Information reaching us this morning is that a public protest is being planned for tomorrow… sponsored by a particularly notorious minister. Their expectation is that a protest will give oxygen to a case that is already suffocating in the courts under the weight of its own illegality,” it said.
The opposition party alleged that those expected to participate in the protest would be mobilised to demand the removal of Senator David Mark from the party’s leadership. It described the move as deceptive and politically motivated.
“The plan is simple: a paid crowd… will take to the streets demanding ‘David Mark Must Go’. This, they hope, will create ‘public pressure’ on the INEC Chairman to magically upgrade and recognise an individual who resigned his position… to the position of National Chairman of a party he no longer belongs to,” the statement added.
ADC warned that the alleged actions point to a broader agenda to take control of its internal structure. The party said the development reflects what it called growing desperation within the ruling party.
“They are not just afraid of our momentum. They are afraid of what happens when the Nigerian people start paying attention and begin to believe that change is possible,” it stated.
The party, however, maintained that it would continue to operate within the law while resisting any attempt to undermine its leadership or processes. It also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
“If they are not acting on his orders, President Bola Tinubu should rein in his enforcers before it is too late,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC has not issued any official response to the allegations.
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