The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has insisted that the Court of Appeal judgment concerning its internal congresses does not invalidate candidates who emerged through the party’s direct primary elections.
The party made the clarification on Monday while reacting to the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in a case relating to the election of its ward, local government and state executive committees.
According to the ADC, the appellate court’s decision only concerns issues surrounding the party’s internal executive structures and has no impact on candidates produced through its direct primary process.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that the judgment should not create uncertainty among party members or supporters regarding its preparations for future 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,” Abdullahi said.
He explained that the party remains convinced that its candidate selection process complied with relevant legal and constitutional provisions.
The spokesman further disclosed that the ADC had already initiated legal proceedings to challenge the appellate court’s decision.
According to him, the party strongly disagrees with the majority judgment and believes it is inconsistent with established legal principles.
“The Party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” he stated.
Abdullahi also pointed to the dissenting opinion delivered by the presiding justice of the appellate court, saying it reflected the party’s understanding of the applicable legal 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,” he added.
While legal proceedings continue, the ADC urged its members, candidates and supporters across the country not to be distracted by the ongoing litigation.
The party stressed that its focus remains on strengthening its structures and offering Nigerians what it described as a credible political alternative.
“We urge all Party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused,” Abdullahi said.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to pursuing its political objectives through lawful means and in accordance with democratic principles.
“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,” he added.
The clarification follows Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment, which upheld a Federal High Court order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the party.
Despite the ruling, the ADC maintains that its candidates who emerged through direct primaries remain unaffected as it prepares to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court.
