The Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) over remarks it described as dismissive toward opposition concerns ahead of upcoming elections.
The reaction follows a statement by the Lagos APC spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, who said Nigeria’s democracy would not be threatened if the ADC or other parties fail to appear on the ballot due to non-compliance with electoral guidelines. He maintained that while political diversity is important, all parties must adhere strictly to established legal and procedural requirements.
Oladejo also attributed the ADC’s situation to internal challenges, including what he characterised as disorder and procedural lapses, which he said had weakened the party’s credibility. He added that the electoral system is larger than any single political party, insisting that failure to meet regulatory conditions would naturally lead to exclusion.
Responding in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Lagos ADC, through its Directorate of Communication and signed by Olusegun Adekayero, condemned the remarks. The party described the “heaven will not fall” comment as troubling and indicative of a broader disregard for democratic inclusion and political plurality.
The ADC argued that while elections are governed by laws and institutional frameworks, dismissing concerns about transparency, fairness, and consistency is both misleading and irresponsible. It rejected claims that its position stems from internal disorganisation, insisting that it has complied with guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The opposition party further accused the APC of double standards, citing past instances where the ruling party faced exclusion from electoral contests in states such as Zamfara and Rivers due to legal disputes. It said those experiences should encourage greater sensitivity rather than dismissiveness toward similar concerns raised by others.
According to the ADC, raising issues about potential administrative bias or procedural ambiguity is a legitimate part of protecting democratic processes. The party warned that undermining the participation of credible political actors could weaken public confidence in elections.
Reaffirming its stance, the ADC said it would continue to pursue lawful avenues to ensure its candidates are not unfairly excluded. It also called on INEC to uphold neutrality, transparency, and fairness, while urging the APC to engage more constructively in strengthening democratic institutions.
