The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said Nigeria’s democracy will not be undermined if the African Democratic Congress and other parties fail to appear on the ballot in forthcoming elections.
The party said this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, in response to complaints by a faction of the ADC over alleged threats to its participation in the polls.
The APC stressed that while political pluralism is vital, the electoral process must be guided strictly by established laws and procedures.
“Democracy is governed by laws and institutional procedures—not by sentiment, entitlement, or alarmist propaganda,” the statement read.
The ruling party maintained that the Independent National Electoral Commission operates within constitutional limits and that compliance with electoral guidelines is mandatory for all political parties.
“Compliance is not optional. Any political party that fails to meet stipulated requirements must bear the full consequences of its own actions,” it added.
Citing past experiences, the APC noted that it had previously faced similar setbacks, including its exclusion from elections in Zamfara and Rivers states during the 2019 general elections due to legal and procedural issues.
According to the party, such precedents demonstrate that no political party is above the law and that electoral consequences are not unique to the ADC.
The APC also criticised the opposition party for what it described as attempts to shift blame, attributing the situation to internal challenges within the ADC.
“It is disingenuous for a faction-ridden opposition party to externalise blame and attempt to cast the ruling party as a scapegoat for what are clearly self-inflicted wounds,” the statement said.
The party further argued that the ADC’s internal issues, including what it described as “disorder” and “procedural recklessness,” had undermined its credibility.
It added, “The electoral process is bigger than any single political party. Heaven will not fall if the ADC, or any other party fails to appear on the ballot as a result of its own non-compliance.”
The APC urged political parties to focus on resolving internal disputes and adhering to electoral guidelines rather than engaging in public complaints.
It reaffirmed its commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, calling on all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.
