The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on Monday in Abuja over 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 opposition party also announced that it has begun the process of challenging the judgment at the Supreme Court, describing the appellate court’s decision as legally unsustainable.
The party made its position known in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, shortly after the judgment. It assured members and supporters that its preparations for the 2027 elections would continue without disruption despite the legal setback.
The latest development is part of a series of legal disputes surrounding the ADC’s internal leadership and congresses, as different groups continue to lay claim to the party’s structures. The party, however, maintained that the court ruling has no impact on the candidates who emerged through its direct primary process.
In the statement, the ADC said it was aware of concerns raised by members following the Court of Appeal’s decision but insisted there was no reason for panic.
“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 said.
“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.”
According to the party, the judgment relates only to the conduct of congresses for electing ward, local government and state executive committees and does not invalidate the direct primaries through which its candidates were selected.
The ADC said it had already initiated legal action to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court and expressed confidence that the apex court would resolve the matter in its favour.
“The party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” the statement added.
The party also pointed to the dissenting opinion delivered by one of the justices on the appellate panel, saying it believes that opinion better reflects the law and the party’s position.
“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 said.
The ADC appealed to its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and stay focused on the party’s political mission.
“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 Court of Appeal judgment comes at a time of growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with parties working to strengthen their structures and prepare for campaigns.
In recent months, the ADC has attracted national attention following the entry of several prominent politicians into its fold. The party has projected itself as a strong opposition platform, promising to provide Nigerians with an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other established political parties.
The party’s leadership has repeatedly defended its direct primary process, insisting that candidates for various elective positions emerged in line with the ADC Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Monday’s statement also comes against the backdrop of recent controversies involving a rival faction within the party.
The rival group had claimed that it uploaded the names of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, raising fresh concerns about the party’s leadership crisis.
However, both the ADC leadership and INEC dismissed the claim.
INEC clarified that it recognises only the National Executive Committee led by former Senate President David Mark and has not granted access to its candidate nomination portal to any rival faction.
The commission’s position was seen as a significant boost for the leadership recognised by the party, although the internal disputes have continued in court.
Despite the ongoing court cases, the party insists that its political activities remain on track and that its structures across the country are intact.
By heading to the Supreme Court, the ADC hopes to overturn the Court of Appeal judgment and secure a final legal interpretation of the issues surrounding its congresses.
For now, the party says it remains focused on strengthening its organisation and preparing for the next general election, while urging members not to be distracted by the latest court ruling.