• Apex court’s reserved judgment leaves party structure in limbo
• INEC’s de-recognition triggers constitutional crisis for ADC
• Counsel warns delay could exclude party from 2027 polls
• CJN urged to fast-track ruling amid mounting electoral deadlines
• ADC cites risk of disenfranchising millions of supporters
• Atiku cautions against threats to judicial independence
• Party accuses APC of fuelling instability within opposition ranks
• PRP dismisses faction claims, insists on internal cohesion
• Obi, Makinde intensify coalition talks ahead of 2027

Nigeria’s electoral contest ahead of 2027 is increasingly being defined not by candidates or campaigns, but by legal recognition, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) raising alarm that delays in a Supreme Court ruling on its leadership could jeopardise its participation in the polls.

The ADC has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to facilitate the prompt delivery of judgment in a leadership dispute it says could affect its participation in the 2027 general elections.

In a letter dated April 22, 2026, the party’s counsel, S.E. Aruwa, SAN, warned that any delay by the Supreme Court could expose the ADC to what he described as a “grave and irreversible risk” of exclusion from the polls.

The appeal, marked SC/CV/180/2026 between Senator David Mark and Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and four others, was heard by the apex court on April 22, with judgment reserved for a later date.

According to the letter, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), acting based on an earlier Court of Appeal judgment in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026, moved to de-recognise the ADC leadership, leaving the party without a recognised structure.

Aruwa said the situation has created a constitutional and political crisis that can undermine the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

“My Lord, the ADC’s ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 General Elections is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgment in the instant appeal,” the letter stated.

He added that a delay of even a few days could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians aligned with the party.

“This would deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice,” he said.

The party also drew attention to INEC’s revised timetable for the 2027 elections, noting that key activities have commenced and that the absence of a recognised leadership could prevent it from meeting statutory deadlines.

While acknowledging the workload of the Supreme Court, the ADC maintained that “justice delayed, in this peculiar circumstance, would amount to justice denied.”

The letter, which has circulated on social media, represents the latest development in the legal dispute over the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

The Supreme Court had earlier reserved judgment in an appeal filed by ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, challenging the jurisdiction of courts to intervene in the internal affairs of the party.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Garba Mohammed reserved judgment after counsel adopted their briefs.

REACTING to this, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cautioned against any attempt to compromise Nigeria’s democratic process, urging the judiciary to remain independent amid rising political tensions linked to the crisis within the African Democratic Congress.

Atiku made the remarks yesterday via his verified account on X, where he expressed concern over what he described as growing threats to the country’s democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“It is increasingly evident that Nigeria’s democracy, and indeed the integrity of the 2027 general elections, is in serious jeopardy. Democracy itself is now facing an existential threat,” he stated.

While raising concerns, the former presidential candidate said he retained confidence in the judiciary as a key institution in safeguarding democracy.

“However, I do not want to believe that the judiciary, long regarded as the last hope of the common man, would align with the ruling All Progressives Congress in any effort that could undermine or destroy our democratic foundations,” he added.

ADC accuses APC of undermining opposition, warns of national instability
THIS came as the African Democratic Congress accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of fostering actions that could threaten national stability, urging the international community to closely monitor developments it described as harmful to democratic norms.

The opposition party characterised the APC as the “most shameless government” in Nigeria’s history, alleging that it recruits agents tasked with creating factions within political parties to weaken and destabilise the opposition.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the claims in a post on his X handle yesterday. He linked the recent emergence of a faction within the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) to a courtesy visit by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, to ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark.

Abdullahi said the development reflects a pattern of interference that is shrinking Nigeria’s democratic space, despite repeated denials by the APC-led Federal Government of involvement in the internal affairs of other parties.

He said: “Although this is not true, it took only that single whiff of speculation for a faction to emerge almost overnight in what had been a historically tranquil political party, challenging the leadership of Baba-Ahmed.

“This is the reality of Nigeria’s shrinking democratic space under the All Progressives Congress. The government may continue to deny any involvement in the crises within other parties, insisting that these are merely internal failures, but the pattern is visible.”

The ADC maintained that the global community is observing the situation and warned of its potential consequences.

The party stated: “The world can see what is happening. More importantly, they can see where this path leads.

“But here is the question: is there no one within the APC who can caution those engineering crises in opposition parties that they are, in fact, sowing the seeds of national instability?”

It added that such a political approach amounts to sabotage and could leave citizens without viable alternatives.

“A political strategy that is anchored on sabotaging every opposition platform is ultimately self-destructive.

“When people are left with no options, they are, in reality, left with no choice.”

PRP denies factional crisis, insists party remains united
RELATEDLY, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) rejected claims of a faction within its ranks, stating that the party remains united and cohesive.

In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, dismissed reports of a split, describing references to a group known as “PRP-Vanguard Collective” as unfounded.

He said, “It is important to categorically state that there is no such thing as a faction within the PRP. The claims by some individuals or groups claiming to operate under a fictitious ‘PRP-Vanguard Collective’ are baseless and do not represent the reality of our party,” he said.

Ishaq questioned the timing of the allegations, linking them to the party’s growing visibility in the political space.

“Why is it that we are just hearing about these claims now, at a time when PRP is attracting wider political attention? It is clear that these distractions are attempts by certain interests to undermine our progress,” he said.

He added that the party would not be deterred by what he described as attempts to weaken its standing.

“We cannot and will not be shaken by intimidation, media distortion or propaganda. Our restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. We remain committed to lawful and peaceful engagement while firmly resisting attacks, misinformation and unfair criticism,” he stated.

The PRP spokesman urged members and supporters to remain focused, assuring them of the leadership’s commitment to sustaining the party’s growth and relevance.

He reaffirmed the party’s adherence to its founding ideals and its resolve to advance its political agenda, stating that no group or individual would derail its progress.

Amadi urges Obi to consider alternative amid alleged plot against ADC
IN another development, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, advised a leading presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, to consider an alternative platform if he intends to be on the ballot in the 2027 general election.

Amadi gave the advice in a post shared on his X handle yesterday, where he alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government is plotting to proscribe the ADC.

The former regulator, who is known to support Obi, urged the former Anambra State governor to activate a “Plan B”, claiming that the government may deploy the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts against the party.

He wrote: “While you guys are fighting who has a right to win primaries and who has the duty to be VP, the ruling government through INEC and the court may proscribe ADC

“A few days before INEC came with its sledgehammer, a lady who knows the workings of INEC told me that the government would try and use the court to proscribe ADC.

“If there is a Plan B, put it in motion now if you want to be on the ballot. Tinubu is mortally afraid of Peter Obi on the ballot. He cannot campaign rigorously. And the country is in a terrible state.”

Obi meets Makinde in Ibadan over opposition coalition talks
MEANWHILE, Peter Obi, yesterday held a closed-door meeting with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as part of ongoing consultations to build a coalition of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, arrived at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, at about 2:44 p.m., accompanied by former Imo State governor, Achike Udenwa, and Ben Obi, among other associates.

Makinde received the delegation before proceeding to a meeting that lasted several hours.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Obi said the visit formed part of broader engagements among opposition leaders aimed at fostering unity and presenting a credible alternative platform to address Nigeria’s challenges.

He said discussions with Makinde focused on strengthening collaboration and advancing talks on a proposed political coalition.

Obi added that the emerging alliance is centred on repositioning the economy from a consumption-driven model to a production-oriented one, which he described as essential for national development.

The meeting was also attended by former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, and the Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Bayo Lawal.

NDC disowns unauthorised X account over false claims on presidential ticket
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has distanced itself from an X account publishing statements in its name, urging the public to rely only on its verified communication channels.

In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its founder and national leader, Seriake Dickson, the party said only information released through its recognised platforms and authorised officials should be regarded as authentic.

The clarification follows reports generated by an unofficial account, @NDCNigNews, which claimed that the party was offering its presidential ticket to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all official communications of the party are released only through our verified and recognised platforms, as well as through duly authorised officials of the party,” the statement read.

The party listed its official social media handles as @nigeriandchq across X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, in addition to its official website.

Labour Party elects Nenadi Usman national chairman at Umuahia convention
Eight months after her appointment as Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party (LP), Esther Nenadi Usman has been elected and inaugurated as the substantive national chairman of the party.

Usman’s emergence is seen as aligning the party’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the southern region for the 2027 general election. The party also indicated that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is unlikely to return.

Speaking at the party’s national convention held in Umuahia yesterday, Abia State Governor and party leader, Alex Otti, said the successful convention reflects the resilience of the LP.

Otti said the inauguration of a new National Working Committee (NWC) positions the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming general election, urging the newly elected officers to provide purposeful leadership and strengthen party structures nationwide.

In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Eluma Asogwa, disclosed that other members elected into the NWC include Iheanacho Obioma as National Secretary, Nike Oriola as Deputy National Chairman, and Ken Asogwa as National Publicity Secretary.

Others are Oluchi Oparah as National Organising Secretary, Anslem Eragbe as National Financial Secretary, and Hilda Dokubo as National Women Leader, among other officials.

The elections were conducted by affirmation, after which the new national officers were sworn in and assumed office.

With Usman’s emergence, the Labour Party has produced a female national chairman, marking a significant development in the leadership structure of political parties in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.