The African Democratic Congress has written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, urging the swift delivery of a Supreme Court judgment over its leadership crisis, warning that delays could jeopardise its participation in the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated April 28 and linked to the faction led by David Mark, the party stressed that failure to deliver judgment within a few days could expose it to “grave and irreversible risk” of exclusion from the polls.
The appeal, already heard by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on April 22, remains pending, with judgment yet to be scheduled. The ADC argued that the uncertainty has left it without a recognised leadership following actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which removed key party officials from its records in line with a lower court ruling.
According to the party, its ability to meet INEC’s electoral requirements—including submission of membership registers—is directly tied to the court’s decision. It warned that exclusion would effectively disenfranchise millions of its supporters and deny them the right to participate in the electoral process.
The dispute stems from a leadership tussle involving Nafiu Bala Gombe and other party stakeholders, with Mark’s faction challenging a Court of Appeal judgment that ordered maintenance of the status quo.
Meanwhile, legal experts have cautioned against pressuring the apex court, noting that judicial processes require thorough deliberation. Some, however, acknowledged that delays could carry significant political consequences, especially with INEC deadlines approaching.
Amid the crisis, the ADC also alleged a broader pattern of political interference targeting opposition parties, a claim dismissed by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
As the deadline for election preparations draws closer, the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling is expected to play a decisive role in determining the ADC’s political future ahead of 2027.