The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment on its party congresses, insisting the verdict will not affect its preparations for the 2027 general elections as it moves to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC reassured members and supporters that its direct primary process remains valid.
“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 read.
The party stressed that, “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 also confirmed it had begun the process of appealing the decision at the Supreme Court.
“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.
Urging supporters to remain calm, the party said: “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.”
The judgment is the latest in a series of legal disputes over the party’s internal leadership and congresses ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC has also dismissed claims by a rival faction that it uploaded candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s nomination portal, maintaining that INEC recognises only the National Executive Committee led by David Mark.
