A member of the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to undermine the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okonkwo alleged that the APC was working through individuals he described as “charlatans” to destabilise the ADC and frustrate its coalition strategy.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, the actor-turned-lawyer claimed that the ruling party was determined to weaken any viable political challenge.
“I was shown everything, resignations, NWC dissolutions, all carried out for the greater good of Nigeria. Yet, some charlatans, some clowns, are being used by APC because President Tinubu does not want any competition in 2027. That is what is going on,” Okonkwo said.
He also criticised what he described as attempts to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“A lawyer went to court seeking relief, and now some are claiming the court has ruled in their favour when it has not. This is the second letter they are writing to INEC. The first, on March 16, was treated as a useless letter. Now, under pressure from APC, they are pushing Joash Amupitan to act or resign,” he added.
Okonkwo explained that the current leadership of the ADC was recognised after a lengthy process involving negotiations and scrutiny by the electoral body.
He further said, “It was Professor Yakubu Mahmood who recognised the ADC leadership, not Joash Amupitan.
“If Professor Mahmood, who we know has a history of technical glitches, looked at the process we followed and saw no irregularities, he went the extra mile to endorse us.
“If there had been even a minor glitch, he would not have approved it. We had 18 months of negotiations before we arrived at this.”
The APC had not responded publicly to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Okonkwo’s comments followed a threat by a factional ADC leader, Nafiu Gombe, to initiate contempt proceedings against INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan over the commission’s recognition of Senator David Mark’s faction as the party’s leadership.
Gombe argued that a Court of Appeal ruling on March 12, 2026, maintained the status quo ante bellum, which he said meant he remained the legitimate leader of the party pending a final decision by the Federal High Court.
He accused INEC of defying the court by inviting Mark’s faction to official engagements and monitoring its activities.
The factional leader demanded that INEC halt recognition of Mark’s group, remove their names from the commission’s portal, and allow him to administer the party’s affairs until the case is resolved.
Responding to the claims, Okonkwo dismissed Gombe’s position as “ridiculous,” insisting that the former party official had already resigned from the ADC.
Okonkwo said, “He stated clearly in his letter that he was resigning to allow for a smooth coalition and restructuring.
“After resigning, APC went back to him, thinking they could use him to truncate the ADC because they are desperate.”
The ADC is positioning itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections, forming a coalition that includes several prominent political figures.
Among those associated with the alliance are Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, alongside ADC leaders David Mark (Interim Chairman) and Rauf Aregbesola (Interim Secretary).
The coalition was formally unveiled in July 2025, while the ADC itself was founded in 2005.
Former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the coalition on March 30, 2026, bringing his Kwankwasiyya movement into the party.
