The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership crisis shows that the opposition lacks the capability to challenge the APC in 2027.

The ruling party stated this while reacting to self-declaration of a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Bala, as the new national chairman of the party.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Bala insisted he had assumed office as the “authentic” chairman, arguing that the Electoral Act and ADC’s constitution made him the rightful successor to Ralph Nwosu, who resigned after the opposition coalition adopted the party some months ago.

But in a swift response, ADC’s National Spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, dismissed Bala as a “charlatan” seeking attention.

Reacting to the ADC crisis, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, mocked the ADC’s internal wrangling as evidence of weakness.

Speaking to Punch, he said, “The opposition is supposed to manage its affairs responsibly. If the ADC does not know how to play opposition politics or unite its members, it can come and learn from the APC. We have the Progressive Institute, a place where people can actually learn politics.”

He denied APC involvement in the opposition crisis, saying the ruling party was focused on delivering President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, not destabilising the opposition.

“The APC cannot condescend to the level of creating problems for an opposition party that is daily losing grip on political activities. In the recent by-elections, out of 16 contested seats, APC won 13. The ADC could not win even one. Clearly, it is not a force to reckon with,” he added.