A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC chieftain alleged that APC was using “some charlatans” to “truncate” the ADC and undermine its coalition strategy because President Bola Tinubu does not want any political competition.

The actor-cum-lawyer criticised attempts to influence INEC, saying:

“I was shown everything—resignations, NWC dissolutions—all carried out for the greater good of Nigeria. Yet, some charlatans, some clowns, are being used by APC because President Tinubu does not want any competition in 2027. That is what is going on,” Okonkwo said in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.

“A lawyer went to court seeking relief, and now some are claiming the court has ruled in their favour when it has not. This is the second letter they are writing to INEC. The first, on March 16, was treated as a useless letter. Now, under pressure from APC, they are pushing Joash Amupitan to act or resign,” he said.

Okonkwo clarified that it was a former INEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, who recognised the ADC leadership after “18 months of negotiations” and a thorough review.

“It was Professor Yakubu Mahmood who recognised the ADC leadership, not Joash Amupitan. If Professor Mahmood, who we know has a history of technical glitches, looked at the process we followed and saw no irregularities, he went the extra mile to endorse us.

“If there had been even a minor glitch, he would not have approved it. We had 18 months of negotiations before we arrived at this,” Okonkwo explained.

The APC has yet to respond publicly to Okonkwo’s claims.

His comments came after a factional leader of ADC, Nafiu Gombe, threatened to take contempt action against INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan for recognising Senator David Mark’s faction as the party leadership.

Gombe argues that the Court of Appeal’s March 12, 2026, ruling maintained the status quo ante bellum, effectively making him the legitimate ADC leader pending the Federal High Court’s final decision.

He accused INEC of defying the court by inviting Mark’s group to meetings and monitoring their activities.

Gombe demanded that INEC halt recognition of Mark’s faction, remove their names from the INEC portal, and allow him to manage party affairs until the case is concluded, warning of legal action if his demands are ignored.

Responding to demands from Gombe, Okonkwo described the move as “ridiculous.”

He claimed that Gombe had officially resigned from the party on May 17, 2025, with his resignation taking effect on May 26, 2025.

“He stated clearly in his letter that he was resigning to allow for a smooth coalition and restructuring. After resigning, APC went back to him, thinking they could use him to truncate the ADC because they are desperate,” Okonkwo added.

Opposition Coalition

The ADC is aiming to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.

The coalition comprises prominent figures who recently left parties like the PDP, LP, and NNPP, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and ADC leaders Mark (Interim Chairman) and Rauf Aregbesola (Interim Secretary).

The alliance was formally unveiled in July 2025, though the ADC itself has existed since 2005.

Kwankwaso joined the coalition on 30 March 2026 in Kano, bringing his Kwankwasiyya movement to the party. (Channels)

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