ADC Dismisses Appeal Court Ruling, Insists 2027 Candidates Remain Valid

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the Court of Appeal judgment on its ward, local government and state congresses has no effect on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged for the 2027 elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the ruling as legally unsustainable, confirmed it has commenced an appeal to the Supreme Court, and said the dissenting judgment better reflects the law and its position. ADC urged members and supporters to remain calm, insisting it remains committed to providing Nigerians with a credible alternative in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.

The full statement read:

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 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.

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.

Signed:

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