The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Supreme Court to urgently deliver judgment in its ongoing leadership dispute, warning that prolonged delay could jeopardise its participation in the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated April 28 and addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the party, led by former Senate President David Mark, expressed concern over the pending ruling. The letter was signed by its counsel, Shuaibu E. Aruwa (SAN).
The appeal, which was heard on April 22 by a five-member panel of the supreme court led by Justice Mohammed Garba, was adjourned for judgment without a fixed date.
In the correspondence relating to Suit No. SC/CV/180/2026, the legal team stressed urgency, citing electoral timelines already released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It stated, “We are counsel to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the 2nd Respondent in the above-mentioned Appeal.”
It further read, “My Lord, this appeal was graciously heard expeditiously on the 22nd April, 2026, and judgment was thereafter reserved to a date to be communicated by the court.”
The lawyers noted that recent developments, including actions by INEC following a lower court ruling, had created uncertainty over the party’s leadership structure.
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They stated, “However, My Lord, we are most respectfully constrained to request for my Lord’s kind intervention and directive in ensuring that the judgment is rendered timeously having regard that INEC the 4th Respondent in the said Appeal purportedly, acting pursuant to the judgment of the lower court in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/145/2026 acted to remove or de-recognize the leadership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC leaving the ADC without leadership at the moment even though the ADC remains a recognized registered political party in Nigeria.”
The legal team also referenced the electoral timetable already announced by INEC, including deadlines for party registration updates, primaries, and campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
It added, “Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 General Elections.”
The party warned that such an outcome would disenfranchise its supporters nationwide, stating that “justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied.”
INEC has fixed January 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly polls are scheduled for February 6, 2027.