Congresses: ADC rejects Appeal Court ruling, heads to Supreme Court

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on Monday in Abuja on the party’s congresses, insisting that the ruling will not affect its direct primaries or the emergence of its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The party also disclosed that it has commenced the process of challenging the decision at the Supreme Court, describing the appellate court’s verdict as legally unsustainable.

This position was contained in a statement issued by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

Addressing concerns over the judgment, the party said it remained confident that its internal processes were intact.

“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 statement read.

The ADC further revealed that it had already initiated legal steps to challenge the judgment, while expressing confidence in the dissenting opinion delivered by one of the appellate justices.

“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,” it added.

The party urged its members and supporters to remain calm and focused, reaffirming its commitment to its political objectives.

“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 development comes amid ongoing legal disputes over the party’s internal leadership and congresses ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Despite the litigation and rival claims within the party, the ADC leadership maintains that its recognised national structure remains intact and that its candidates emerged in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

The party’s position follows recent controversies over claims by a rival faction regarding the submission of candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Both the ADC leadership and INEC have dismissed the claims, with the electoral body stating that it recognises only the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee and has not granted portal access to any rival group.