The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has affirmed that the judgement of the Court of Appeal on its ward, local government and state congresses does not in any way affect the direct primaries that produced its candidates for the 2027 elections.
The party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, made this statement on Monday.
Recall that earlier on Monday, the Abuja appellate court upheld the Federal High Court’s ruling that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) caretaker leadership.
In a ruling delivered by Okon Abang, a three-member panel of the court stated that it did not see any justification for overturning the restraining order that the lower court in Abuja had granted against the Mark-led ADC on April 29.
Additionally, it affirmed the judge Joyce Abdulmalik’s decision prohibiting Mark-led executives from interfering with the terms and duties of the party’s elected state executives.
However, reacting to the ruling, Mr Abdullahi said in the statement posted on his X account that the “judgement has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the party’s candidates have emerged at all levels.”
He added that the ADC had already commenced the process of appealing the judgement, which it disagreed with because it is “legally unsustainable.”
Read Also: Appeal Court Bars INEC From Recognising ADC State Congresses
The Full Statement Reads;
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) notes the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday in a matter concerning party congresses to elect the Party’s ward, local government, and state executive committees.
We wish to assure members of the party and the general public that this judgment does not affect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the Party’s candidates have emerged at all levels.
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.
We urge all Party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused.
The African Democratic Congress remains committed to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
Backstory…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been battling a prolonged internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general election, with rival factions locked in a struggle for control of the party’s leadership and structures. The dispute has led to parallel meetings, competing state executives, conflicting directives and accusations of attempts to hijack the party by different interest groups.
The leadership tussle intensified following the influx of high-profile opposition politicians into the ADC as coalition talks gathered momentum, raising the stakes over who controls the party’s machinery ahead of the 2027 polls.
However, despite the internal disagreements, party leaders have repeatedly insisted that the crisis will not derail its primary elections or preparations for the general election.
