The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reassured its members and supporters that the Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s congresses will not affect its participation in the 2027 general elections or the validity of candidates that emerged through its direct primary process.
The party said Monday’s judgment, delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in respect of ward, local government and state congresses, has no bearing on the direct primaries through which its candidates for the 2027 polls were nominated.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC urged party faithful to remain calm, insisting that its electoral preparations remain firmly on course despite the ongoing legal dispute.
“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,” the statement said.
“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 opposition party disclosed that it had already commenced the process of challenging the appellate court’s decision at the Supreme Court, describing the judgment as legally unsustainable.
It also expressed confidence in the dissenting opinion delivered by the presiding justice, arguing that it reflected the settled position of the law and the party’s stance.
“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 statement added.
Calling for unity, the ADC urged its members not to be distracted by the litigation, maintaining that the party remains focused on presenting what it described as a credible alternative to Nigerians in the 2027 elections.
“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,” it stated.
The judgment is the latest in a series of legal disputes surrounding the party’s internal leadership and congresses, disputes that have triggered rival claims to the ADC leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the litigation, the party has consistently maintained that its recognised national leadership remains intact and that its direct primary process complied with both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The latest reassurance also comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 polls and follows recent controversies over claims by a rival faction that it had uploaded candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal.
Both the ADC leadership and INEC have dismissed the claim, with the electoral body affirming that it recognises only the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee and has not granted portal access to any rival group.
