The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has downplayed concerns raised by a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the possibility of being excluded from upcoming elections, stressing that all political parties must adhere strictly to electoral laws.
In a statement released on Tuesday, APC spokesperson Mogaji Seye Oladejo said democracy is governed by established rules and institutions, not by sentiments or what he described as exaggerated claims.
He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the constitutional responsibility to enforce compliance and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. According to him, any party that fails to meet the required conditions must face the consequences, adding that the ADC’s current situation is not unusual.
Oladejo pointed to past experiences where the APC itself faced similar challenges, including its inability to field candidates in Zamfara State during the 2019 elections due to issues with its primaries, as well as its exclusion in Rivers State following internal disputes.
He said these examples demonstrate that no political party is above the law.
The APC spokesman also accused the ADC of trying to deflect responsibility for its internal problems, arguing that leadership issues and lack of internal discipline have weakened the party.
He questioned the ADC’s preparedness for democratic participation, citing its ongoing internal crisis as a major concern.
Oladejo emphasised that the APC cannot be held accountable for the ADC’s difficulties and urged all political parties to resolve their internal conflicts while complying fully with electoral regulations.
He added that the electoral system is larger than any single party and maintained that the process would continue smoothly even if any party fails to meet the requirements to participate.
Finally, he reiterated the APC’s commitment to ensuring credible elections and encouraged all stakeholders to uphold practices that will strengthen trust in Nigeria’s democratic system.