Nigeria’s democratic system would endure even if the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and other political parties are not on the ballot in the 2027 general elections, according to the Lagos State branch of the All Progressives Congress, or APC.
In response to concerns expressed by a section within the ADC regarding purported threats to its participation in the polls, the party made the claim in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Seye Oladejo.
The APC contends that while political diversity is vital to a democracy, the electoral process must prioritize respect to established processes and legal frameworks.
“Laws and institutional procedures, not sentiment, entitlement, or alarmist narratives, are the foundation of democracy,” the statement stated.
The party insisted that all political parties must adhere to set rules and that the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, operates within the bounds of the law.
It emphasized the necessity of adhering to electoral procedures and stated that any party that does not do so will be held accountable for its activities.
Drawing on its own experience, the APC emphasized that no party is exempt from the application of electoral laws by recalling how legal and procedural errors prevented it from participating in the 2019 general elections in the states of Zamfara and Rivers.
The ruling party also accused parts of the opposition of avoiding accountability by blaming organizational flaws and internal conflicts for the ADC’s predicament.
The statement went on, “It is misleading for a factionalized opposition party to shift blame and portray the ruling party as responsible for challenges that are clearly self-inflicted.”
Reiterating that the electoral process is independent of any one political party, the APC said that internal chaos and what it called procedural errors have damaged the ADC’s reputation.
It declared, “The democratic system is not threatened by the absence of any party from the ballot due to non-compliance.”
Instead of focusing on public concerns, the party urged political organizations to prioritize internal cohesion and adherence to electoral regulations.
Additionally, it reiterated its dedication to fair elections and urged all parties involved to preserve democratic principles and increase public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
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