Amid deepening internal turmoil and a looming court verdict, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denied reports of merger talks with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), insisting it remains focused on a legal battle over its leadership crisis.
In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said there were no ongoing discussions with any political party regarding a merger or alliance.
“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.
“We would like to state categorically that this is not true,” the statement read.
The party stressed that its coalition leadership remains focused on challenging what it described as unlawful actions taken against its leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and alleged agents of the ruling party.
Abdullahi revealed, “The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that the illegal action taken against our leadership by INEC and other agents of the ruling party is upturned.”
According to the ADC, pursuing justice through the courts is critical not only for the party but also for the survival of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that multiparty democracy survives in Nigeria,” the statement added.
While acknowledging its openness to broader collaboration among opposition groups, the party insisted that it would not abandon its current structure or responsibilities.
“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,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC further cautioned against what it described as premature assumptions about its political direction, urging the public to disregard such claims.
“Any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is preemptive and speculative, and should be ignored,” the statement said.
Despite expressing concerns over what it termed the “flagrant bastardisation” of democratic institutions, the party voiced confidence in the judiciary to uphold justice.
“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,” Abdullahi concluded.
