The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm that a delay in a Supreme Court ruling on its leadership could jeopardize its participation in the 2027 general elections. The party has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to facilitate a prompt judgment in a leadership dispute that threatens its electoral viability.
Court Delay Sparks Crisis
In a letter dated April 22, 2026, the party’s counsel, S.E. Aruwa, SAN, warned that any delay by the Supreme Court could expose the ADC to a “grave and irreversible risk” of exclusion from the polls. The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026 between Senator David Mark and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and four others, was heard by the apex court on April 22, with judgment reserved for a later date. According to the letter, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acting based on an earlier Court of Appeal judgment, moved to de-recognize the ADC leadership, leaving the party without a recognized structure. Aruwa said the situation has created a constitutional and political crisis that could undermine the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
“My Lord, the ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 General Elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant appeal,” the letter stated. He added that a delay of even a few days could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians aligned with the party. “This would deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice,” he said. The party also drew attention to INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections, noting that key activities have commenced and that the absence of a recognized leadership could prevent it from meeting statutory deadlines. While acknowledging the workload of the Supreme Court, the ADC maintained that “justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied.”
Atiku Warns on Judicial Independence
Reacting to the development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cautioned against any attempt to compromise Nigeria’s democratic process, urging the judiciary to remain independent amid rising political tensions linked to the crisis within the ADC. Atiku made the remarks via his verified X account, expressing concern over what he described as growing threats to the country’s democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections. “It is increasingly evident that Nigeria’s democracy, and indeed the integrity of the 2027 general elections, is in serious jeopardy. Democracy itself is now facing an existential threat,” he stated. While raising concerns, the former presidential candidate said he retained confidence in the judiciary as a key institution in safeguarding democracy. “However, I do not want to believe that the judiciary, long regarded as the last hope of the common man, would align with the ruling All Progressives Congress in any effort that could undermine or destroy our democratic foundations,” he added.
ADC Accuses APC of Destabilizing Opposition
The ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of fostering actions that could threaten national stability, urging the international community to closely monitor developments it described as harmful to democratic norms. The opposition party characterized the APC as the “most shameless government” in Nigeria’s history, alleging that it recruits agents tasked with creating factions within political parties to weaken and destabilize the opposition. ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the claims in a post on his X handle. He linked the recent emergence of a faction within the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) to a courtesy visit by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, to ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark. Abdullahi said the development reflects a pattern of interference that is shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space, despite repeated denials by the APC-led Federal Government of involvement in the internal affairs of other parties. He said: “Although this is not true, it took only that single whiff of speculation for a faction to emerge almost overnight in what had been a historically tranquil political party, challenging the leadership of Baba-Ahmed.” The ADC maintained that the global community is observing the situation and warned of its potential consequences. “The world can see what is happening. More importantly, they can see where this path leads. But here is the question: is there no one within the APC who can caution those engineering crises in opposition parties that they are, in fact, sowing the seeds of national instability?” It added that such a political approach amounts to sabotage and could leave citizens without viable alternatives.
PRP Denies Factional Crisis
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) rejected claims of a faction within its ranks, stating that the party remains united and cohesive. In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, dismissed reports of a split, describing references to a group known as “PRP-Vanguard Collective” as unfounded. He said, “It is important to categorically state that there is no such thing as a faction within the PRP. The claims by some individuals or groups claiming to operate under a fictitious ‘PRP-Vanguard Collective’ are baseless and do not represent the reality of our party.” Ishaq questioned the timing of the allegations, linking them to the party’s growing visibility in the political space. “Why is it that we are just hearing about these claims now, at a time when PRP is attracting wider political attention? It is clear that these distractions are attempts by certain interests to undermine our progress,” he said. He added that the party would not be deterred by what he described as attempts to weaken its standing.
Amadi Urges Obi to Consider Alternative Platform
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, advised ADC presidential aspirant Peter Obi to consider an alternative platform if he intends to be on the ballot in the 2027 general election. Amadi gave the advice in a post shared on his X handle, alleging that the ruling APC-led government is plotting to proscribe the ADC. The former regulator, who is known to support Obi, urged the former Anambra State governor to activate a “Plan B”, claiming that the government may deploy INEC and the courts against the party. He wrote: “While you guys are fighting who has a right to win primaries and who has the duty to be VP, the ruling government through INEC and the court may proscribe ADC. A few days before INEC came with its sledgehammer, a lady who knows the workings of INEC told me that the government would try and use the court to proscribe ADC. If there is a Plan B, put it in motion now if you want to be on the ballot. Tinubu is mortally afraid of Peter Obi on the ballot. He cannot campaign rigorously. And the country is in a terrible state.”
Obi Meets Makinde in Ibadan Over Opposition Coalition
Peter Obi yesterday held a closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as part of ongoing consultations to build a coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, arrived at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, at about 2:44 p.m., accompanied by former Imo State governor, Achike Udenwa, and Ben Obi, among other associates. Makinde received the delegation before proceeding to a meeting that lasted several hours. Briefing journalists after the meeting, Obi said the visit formed part of broader engagements among opposition leaders aimed at fostering unity and presenting a credible alternative platform to address Nigeria’s challenges. He said discussions with Makinde focused on strengthening collaboration and advancing talks on a proposed political coalition. Obi added that the emerging alliance is centred on repositioning the economy from a consumption-driven model to a production-oriented one, which he described as essential for national development. The meeting was also attended by former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, and the Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Bayo Lawal.
NDC Disowns Unauthorized X Account
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from an X account publishing statements in its name, urging the public to rely only on its verified communication channels. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its founder and national leader, Seriake Dickson, the party said only information released through its recognized platforms and authorized officials should be regarded as authentic. The clarification follows reports generated by an unofficial account, @NDCNigNews, which claimed that the party was offering its presidential ticket to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election. “For the avoidance of doubt, all official communications of the party are released only through our verified and recognized platforms, as well as through duly authorized officials of the party,” the statement read. The party listed its official social media handles as @nigeriandchq across X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, in addition to its official website.
Labour Party Elects Nenadi Usman National Chairman
Eight months after her appointment as Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party (LP), Esther Nenadi Usman has been elected and inaugurated as the substantive national chairman of the party. Usman’s emergence is seen as aligning the party’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the southern region for the 2027 general election. The party also indicated that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is unlikely to return. Speaking at the party’s national convention held in Umuahia yesterday, Abia State Governor and party leader, Alex Otti, said the successful convention reflects the resilience of the LP. Otti said the inauguration of a new National Working Committee (NWC) positions the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming general election, urging the newly elected officers to provide purposeful leadership and strengthen party structures nationwide. In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Eluma Asogwa, disclosed that other members elected into the NWC include Iheanacho Obioma as National Secretary, Nike Oriola as Deputy National Chairman, and Ken Asogwa as National Publicity Secretary. Others are Oluchi Oparah as National Organizing Secretary, Anslem Eragbe as National Financial Secretary, and Hilda Dokubo as National Women Leader, among other officials. The elections were conducted by affirmation, after which the new national officers were sworn in and assumed office. With Usman’s emergence, the Labour Party has produced a female national chairman, marking a significant development in the leadership structure of political parties in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
