The African Democratic Congress has said that the Court of Appeal judgment given on Monday in Abuja about the party’s congresses will not change its direct primaries or the selection of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The party has also started the process of appealing the judgment at the Supreme Court. They called the appellate court’s decision legally weak.
This information came in a statement released on Monday by the ADC's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
This news comes as the party faces ongoing legal issues over its internal leadership and congresses. The ADC wants to assure its members and supporters that its plans for the 2027 elections are still on track despite the court ruling.
In response to worries about 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 party also revealed that it has begun legal actions to fight the judgment, expressing faith in the dissenting opinion from one of the appellate justices.
The statement continued, “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 stay calm and focused, emphasizing that the party is still dedicated to its political goals.
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.”
Reports from PUNCH Online indicate that the Appeal Court judgment is the latest in a series of legal issues surrounding the ADC’s internal leadership and congresses as they prepare for the 2027 elections. This legal fight has sparked rival claims to the party’s leadership, while the ADC insists that its recognized national leadership is still strong.
The judgment arrives during a time of increased political activity ahead of the 2027 elections. The ADC aims to be a major opposition party as several notable political figures join.
The leadership has often stated that its direct primary process is valid and that its candidates were chosen following the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
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