Political parties are racing to beat the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for submitting candidates for the 2027 general election. However, legal disputes and leadership crises continue to unsettle several opposition parties.
The uncertainty deepened after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld an earlier Federal High Court order restraining INEC from receiving submissions from the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Court ruling fuels uncertainty
In a split 2-1 judgment, the appellate court ruled that the David Mark-led caretaker committee lacked the authority to conduct the party’s state congresses and national convention.
The court also upheld the validity of the tenure of the ADC’s elected state executive committees. Furthermore, it awarded ₦10 million in costs against the party.
Justice Okon Abang, who delivered the lead judgment, held that only properly constituted state executives could conduct state congresses.
However, Justice Abba Mohammed disagreed. He argued that the dispute involved the internal affairs of a political party and should not have been decided by the courts.
ADC heads to Supreme Court
Meanwhile, the ADC rejected suggestions that the ruling had invalidated its candidates for the 2027 election.
National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the judgment related only to the party’s congresses and executive committees. According to him, it did not affect the direct primaries that produced the party’s candidates.
He also confirmed that the party had approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision.
Furthermore, the ADC denied reports that another faction uploaded candidates to the INEC nomination portal. The party alleged that documents purportedly issued by INEC had been forged and called for an investigation.
Atiku urges supporters to remain calm
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also dismissed claims that the Court of Appeal judgment nullified the ADC’s presidential ticket.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, the judgment focused on party leadership issues rather than candidate nominations.
“The judgment being celebrated relates to the conduct of state congresses and the tenure of State Executive Committees. It does not, from the facts available, amount to a judicial nullification of the ADC’s primary elections.”
Atiku urged party members and supporters to remain calm. He also expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would provide a final resolution to the dispute.
Stakeholders express concern
Several political stakeholders warned that the legal disputes could undermine public confidence in the 2027 elections.
Former PDP South-West Vice Chairman Kamorudeen Ajisafe criticised INEC’s handling of the situation. Likewise, former Aka Ikenga President Goddy Uwazurike questioned the electoral body’s credibility.
Similarly, elder statesman Chekwas Okorie urged the Supreme Court to protect Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that political disputes do not deny voters the opportunity to choose their preferred candidates.
What happens next?
Political parties have until midnight to complete the upload of their candidates to the INEC portal. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is expected to determine the legal issues surrounding the ADC leadership dispute as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.
