Stop blaming Tinubu, INEC for your woes, Presidency blasts ADC

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Presidency has asked the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to stop blaming President Bola Tinubu and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its internal crisis, describing the party’s troubles as self-inflicted.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, made the position known in a statement on Thursday, where he dismissed allegations linking the Presidency or INEC to the leadership dispute within the party.

Onanuga said the ongoing wrangling in the ADC revolved around issues of control and legitimacy, not external interference, stressing that the party must take responsibility for its internal affairs.

He drew on the legal concept of “status quo ante bellum” to explain the situation, noting that the phrase refers to restoring a previous state of affairs before a conflict, as opposed to maintaining the current state, known as “status quo.”

According to him, the principle applies to the dispute involving key figures within the party, including David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

Onanuga referenced reports surrounding Nafiu Gombe, who is said to be contesting the party’s leadership, insisting he remains the legitimate vice chairman and should have automatically assumed the chairmanship following the resignation of the party’s long-serving chairman, Ralph Nwoye.

The presidential aide alleged that attempts to alter the structure of the ADC, including claims that the party was repositioned for the 2027 elections, led to the present crisis.

“The ADC should stop blaming President Tinubu and INEC for its self-inflicted woes,” Onanuga said, adding that the dispute is an internal matter that should be resolved within the party.

The Presidency maintained that neither the federal government nor the electoral umpire has any role in the leadership tussle, reiterating that political parties are responsible for managing their own internal disputes.