By Olayinka Owolabi
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports suggesting it is in talks with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) ahead of a pending court judgment, describing the claims as false and misleading.
ADC in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, said, “Our attention has been drawn to a story in circulation that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is in talks with another political party, specifically the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), in anticipation of its court judgment. We would like to state categorically that this is not true.”
The party stressed that no such discussions are ongoing, noting that its focus remains on resolving its internal leadership dispute through legal means. “The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment,” the statement added.
The denial comes amid an ongoing legal tussle involving the ADC leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside alleged interference by agents of the ruling party.
The dispute, which has drawn public attention, is centered on actions taken against the party’s leadership—moves the ADC has described as unlawful.
The controversy has fueled speculation about possible alliances or mergers with other opposition parties, particularly as political actors begin to position themselves ahead of future elections.
Reports of a potential partnership with the PRP emerged in this context, prompting the ADC’s clarification.
Reaffirming its stance, the party said it remains committed to challenging what it described as “illegal action” taken against its leadership. “We are fully committed to ensuring that the illegal action taken against our leadership by INEC and other agents of the ruling party is upturned.
We believe that this is the only path to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring that multiparty democracy survives in Nigeria,” the statement read.
While acknowledging openness to broader opposition collaboration in the future, the ADC maintained that it has no intention of abandoning its current platform.
“Any suggestion that we are considering abandoning the ADC is preemptive and speculative, and should be ignored,” it stated.
The party also expressed confidence in the judiciary, despite concerns about political pressure on democratic institutions.
It said, “Notwithstanding the flagrant bastardisation of democratic institutions, the ADC leadership remains confident that the judicial institutions will, at this defining moment, resist the pressure to be complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy.”
