ADC court judgment will not affect the party’s candidates or primaries, the opposition party says while challenging the ruling at a higher court.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by its national leadership, has assured members and supporters that a recent Court of Appeal judgment concerning its internal congresses will not disrupt its primary elections or affect candidates who emerged through the party’s nomination process.
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The party made the clarification on Monday after the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered a judgment involving the election of ADC ward, local government and state executive committees.
In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the ruling was limited to its internal executive structures and did not invalidate candidates selected through direct primaries.
“The African Democratic Congress 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.
The party stressed that its candidates at various levels remained unaffected, maintaining that the judgment did not challenge the outcome of its direct primary elections.
“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,” ADC said.
The opposition party also announced that it had begun steps to challenge the decision at a higher court, describing the ruling as one it disagreed with.
“The party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” Abdullahi said.
ADC further highlighted the dissenting opinion delivered by the presiding justice, arguing that the minority judgment supported the party’s interpretation of the legal issues involved.
The development comes as political parties across Nigeria continue preparations for upcoming electoral contests, with internal structures and nomination procedures facing increased legal scrutiny.
While court disputes over party congresses and leadership arrangements have frequently affected political organisations in Nigeria, ADC said it remained focused on its broader objective of presenting what it described as a credible alternative to voters.
The party urged members and supporters nationwide to remain calm, confident and committed despite the ruling.
“We urge all party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused,” the statement added.
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ADC said it would continue pursuing its political objectives through constitutional and lawful channels while awaiting further judicial review of the case.
