ADC may not be on the ballot —Supreme Court

By Chisom Adaeze

As Supreme Court reserves judgment in PDP and ADC leadership disputes, concerns grow that the ADC may miss INEC’s deadline for 2027 election participation.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in a series of appeals and cross-appeals arising from leadership disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, following hearings from all parties involved.

The apex court did not announce a date for its ruling, leaving the political future of both parties uncertain ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In the PDP case, earlier court decisions had already nullified the party’s Ibadan convention, which produced Senator Tanimu Turaki as national chairman. The rulings also upheld suspensions affecting key party officials, significantly altering the party’s leadership structure.

As a result, the PDP leadership group aligned with the camp of Nyesom Wike, which is currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, is expected to remain in control pending the final Supreme Court decision.

However, the situation appears more critical for the ADC, where multiple factions are locked in a prolonged leadership struggle. The party is currently divided among three rival camps led by Senator David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe, and Ogga Temitope, none of which is officially recognised by INEC.

Under electoral regulations, all registered political parties are required to submit updated membership registers to INEC by May 10 in order to qualify to sponsor candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Analysts warn that if the Supreme Court fails to deliver judgment before this deadline, the ADC risks being excluded from the ballot entirely, potentially becoming ineligible to field candidates in the next election cycle.

The development highlights growing concerns over internal party disputes and their legal implications, as Nigeria moves closer to another highly competitive general election season.