The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the Court of Appeal judgment concerning its ward, local government and state congresses has no effect on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged at all levels for the 2027 elections.
The party, in a statement issued on Monday, July 13, 2026, and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed that it had already commenced the process of appealing the judgment at the Supreme Court.
The ADC described the ruling as “legally unsustainable,” while maintaining that the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding Justice more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the party’s position.
According to the party, the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered the judgment on Monday in a matter relating to party congresses conducted for the election of its ward, local government and state executive committees.
The ADC, however, assured its members and the general public that the judgment would not affect the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged at all levels.
“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 statement read.
The party further confirmed that it had initiated the process of challenging the ruling, saying it respectfully disagreed with the judgment.
“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,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC consequently urged its members and millions of supporters across the country to remain calm, confident and focused despite the court judgment.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to providing Nigerians with what it described as a credible political alternative, stressing that it would continue to pursue its mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
“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 statement concluded.
