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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected Monday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal on the party’s congresses, insisting that the ruling has no effect on the emergence of its candidates through direct primary elections.
The party also announced that it would challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court, describing the appellate court’s decision as legally unsustainable.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC sought to reassure members and supporters that the judgment was limited to the conduct of its ward, local government and state executive committee congresses and did not invalidate the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for the 2027 general election.
“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.
It added: “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 disclosed that it had already commenced the process of appealing the judgment and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would ultimately resolve the issues 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,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC also relied on the dissenting opinion delivered by the presiding justice of the appellate panel in support of its 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 added.
The party urged its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and focused despite the legal setback.
**”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, in a split decision delivered in Abuja on Monday, upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC.
The appellate court also affirmed the nullification of the party’s April 14 national convention, holding that it was conducted in violation of a subsisting court order. The majority judgment further restrained the caretaker leadership from interfering with the tenure and functions of elected state executive committees and awarded costs against the appellants.
However, the ADC maintains that the decision relates only to the conduct of its congresses and internal party structures and does not affect the validity of the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for the 2027 general election.