ADC Says Court Ruling Won't Impact Their Primaries

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the Court of Appeal's ruling on its ward, local government, and state congresses will not affect the direct primaries that picked its candidates for the 2027 elections.

The party made this known in a statement by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, the appellate court in Abuja upheld a ruling from the Federal High Court. This ruling stops the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing state congresses that were organized by committees set up by the David Mark-led caretaker group of the ADC.

A three-member panel of the court, led by Okon Abang, stated that there was no reason to overturn the restraining order issued by the lower court in Abuja against the Mark-led ADC on April 29.

The court also supported the order from Judge Joyce Abdulmalik. This order stops the Mark-led executives from interfering with the roles and terms of the party’s elected state executives.

But Abdullahi mentioned in a statement 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 also noted that the ADC has already started appealing the ruling, which they disagree with because they believe it is “legally unsustainable.”

The full statement said:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) acknowledges the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday concerning party congresses to elect the Party’s ward, local government, and state executive committees.

We want to reassure party members and the public that this judgment does not affect the direct primaries through which the Party’s candidates have emerged at all levels.

The party has already begun the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable.

We also recognize the dissenting judgment of the presiding Justice. In our view, this judgment more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the Party’s stance.

We urge all party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident, and focused.

The African Democratic Congress is committed to giving Nigerians a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission according to the Constitution and the rule of law.

Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)