Mark-led ADC coalition denies defection talks, says no plan to abandon party

The Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports suggesting it is considering abandoning the party or entering talks with other political platforms ahead of an expected court judgment on its leadership dispute.

The coalition said there was no ongoing negotiation with any political party, including the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), describing the claims as false and misleading.

Speaking on behalf of the party, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the reports circulating in sections of the media were unfounded and should be disregarded.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story in circulation that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is in talks with another political party… We would like to state categorically that this is not true,” Abdullahi said.

He stressed that the coalition remains committed to the ADC despite internal disputes and ongoing legal matters surrounding its leadership.

“The coalition leadership is not having any such conversation with any political party at the moment,” he added, insisting that claims of defection plans were “preemptive and speculative.”

Abdullahi also alleged that certain actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and unnamed political actors were targeted at the coalition’s leadership, describing them as unlawful.

He maintained that the group remains focused on securing judicial redress in the ongoing leadership tussle, expressing confidence that the courts would uphold justice.

“Notwithstanding the pressure on democratic institutions, the ADC leadership remains confident that the judiciary will resist attempts to undermine Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

While ruling out any immediate party switch, the coalition noted that it remains open to broader opposition collaboration aimed at strengthening democratic engagement and national political restructuring.

The clarification comes amid rising political tension within the ADC over leadership control and speculation of possible realignments ahead of future elections.