The National Publicity Secretary of African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of masterminding the internal crisis within the opposition party as part of a wider strategy to weaken credible opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abdullahi, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the leadership dispute rocking ADC was politically induced and aimed at destabilising the party’s structure.

According to him, forces outside the party were sponsoring dissent to frustrate ADC’s growing influence in the political space.

“This is a continuation of the same effort to destabilise our party,” he said.

Questioning the legitimacy of those opposing the party’s current leadership, Abdullahi noted that the majority of ADC state chairmen remained aligned with the leadership under David Mark.

“We have 37 state chairmen. How many of them have gathered to support what these people are saying?” he asked.

He maintained that the party’s congresses would proceed as planned, insisting that those unwilling to participate were free to stay away.

“Our congresses will go on as scheduled. Anyone refusing to participate has made a personal decision,” he said.

Defending the legitimacy of the present leadership, Abdullahi cited a Federal High Court ruling which dismissed a suit filed by Dumebi Kachukwu challenging the party leadership.

“The court ruled clearly that it was an internal affair of the party. We have not seen any appeal. What he failed to get through the court, he is now trying to achieve through media statements,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC spokesman further alleged that the ruling party was deliberately creating instability across opposition parties to pave the way for President Bola Tinubu to face weak challengers in 2027.

“It is the ruling party. They want a situation where, by 2027, President Tinubu becomes the only viable option,” he alleged.

He also claimed that other opposition parties had suffered similar political interference.

“That is why they decapitated the PDP, destabilised the Labour Party, weakened the NNPP and targeted other parties. It is all part of one agenda,” he said.

Abdullahi ruled out any possibility of election boycott by ADC, stressing that the party would remain in the contest despite legal and structural battles.

“We are not going to boycott. Boycott means surrender, and we will not surrender Nigeria’s democracy,” he declared.

He assured party supporters that ADC would participate fully in the 2027 elections.

“One thing I can guarantee Nigerians is that ADC will contest the 2027 election. We have options, but strategy is not announced in the open,” he added.

Abdullahi also criticised Independent National Electoral Commission, accusing the electoral body of interfering in matters beyond its constitutional powers.

“INEC has no constitutional power to determine party leadership. It is beginning to behave like an umpire turning into a vampire against opposition parties,” he said.

On internal discipline, he defended recent expulsions within the party, warning that ADC under David Mark would not tolerate members openly working against party interests.

“You cannot remain in a party and openly campaign for another presidential candidate,” he said.

He added that democracy would be endangered if viable opposition platforms continued to be undermined.

“Democracy is about choice. Once credible alternatives are destroyed, democracy itself is threatened,” Abdullahi warned.