The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on Monday in Abuja on the party’s congresses will not affect its direct primaries or the emergence of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The ADC also disclosed that it had commenced the process of challenging the judgment at the Supreme Court, describing the appellate court’s decision as legally unsustainable.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The development occurs in the context of ongoing legal battles regarding the party’s internal governance and congresses, as the ADC aims to reassure its members and supporters that preparations for the 2027 elections continue as planned despite the judicial decision.
Speaking on concerns over the judgment, the party said, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) notes the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday in a matter relating to party congresses for the election of ward, local government, and state executive committees of the party.
“We wish to assure members of the Party and the general public that this judgment has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the Party’s candidates have emerged at all levels.”
The ADC further disclosed that it had already initiated legal steps to challenge the judgment, while expressing confidence in the dissenting opinion delivered by one of the appellate justices.
The statement added, “The Party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable.
“We also note the dissenting judgment of the presiding justice, which, in our view, more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the party’s position.”
The ADC called on its members and supporters to remain calm and focused despite the legal challenge, insisting that the party remained committed to its political objectives.
It stated, “We urge all Party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident, and focused.
“The African Democratic Congress remains committed to the task of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Chronicle NG reports that the Appeal Court judgment is the latest development in a series of legal disputes surrounding the ADC’s internal leadership and congresses ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The litigation has fueled rival claims to the party’s leadership, even as the party insists that its recognized national leadership remains intact.
The ruling comes amid increased political engagement before the 2027 elections, as the ADC establishes itself as a key opposition platform following the arrival of various notable political figures into the party.
The leadership has consistently asserted that its direct primary method is legitimate and that its candidates were selected in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The recent statement comes after disputes concerning assertions by a competing faction that it had submitted candidates’ names to the nomination portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The ADC leadership and INEC have rejected the assertion, with the electoral commission clarifying that it only acknowledges the National Executive Committee led by Senator David Mark and has not provided portal access to any competing faction.
