The Tinubu government, on Friday, branded the African Democratic Congress as “lawless” following its decision to proceed with its scheduled congresses despite the stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its leadership tussle.

ADC national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Friday, notified members and supporters of the coalition to get ready for the congresses as planned.

“This is to notify all party members that, despite INEC’s illegal actions, the African Democratic Congress will continue with its congresses as scheduled, having duly notified INEC by our letters dated 27th February, 2026 and 28th March, 2026,” said a statement jointly signed by Mr Abdullahi and the party’s national organising secretary, Chinedu Idigo.

However, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who replied to the statement on X on Friday, dismissed the coalition’s decision as illegal.

Mr Onanuga further warned the ADC of dire consequences.

“Just continue your illegality, the lawless ADC,” Mr Onanuga stated. “The dog that wants to get lost in the forest will ignore the hunter’s whistle.”

The ADC’s decision to proceed with its scheduled congresses came amid INEC’s removal of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola as its national chairman and secretary respectively, citing a ruling of the Court of Appeal.

The coalition, however, rejected the removal of its leadership and accused the electoral umpire of being under the control of Mr Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress said INEC should have deregistered the ADC for wasting Nigerians’ time and resources and warned the coalition against blaming its internal issues on external factors.