Thousands of supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are watching closely as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to review a court judgment that has created uncertainty around the party’s leadership and its 2027 presidential ticket.
Rather than rushing to make a decision, INEC says it will first obtain and study the Certified True Copy of the Federal High Court ruling before determining its next steps. The commission is expected to deliberate on the matter at a meeting scheduled for next week.
The court judgment, delivered in Abuja, nullified the caretaker committee led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under its leadership, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
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For many party members and supporters, the development is about more than legal procedures. It has raised questions about the future direction of the party and the certainty political stakeholders seek as preparations for the next election cycle gradually gather momentum.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the electoral body would not rely on media accounts of the judgment and must first examine the official court document before taking a position.
The commission also indicated that it would comply with any subsequent court orders should the affected faction appeal the judgment and obtain a stay of execution.
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The case stems from a lawsuit challenging the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee. The Federal High Court ruled that the committee’s formation violated provisions of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
As political actors await INEC’s next move, many observers believe the coming days will be critical in determining how the ADC resolves its internal disputes and reassures members about its readiness for the 2027 elections.
