ADC Reacts to Court Ruling on State Chairmen, Moves to Review Judgment
By Jerry Adesewo, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has responded to reports of a Federal High Court judgment purportedly sacking its newly elected state chairmen, stating that it is reviewing the ruling and will take appropriate legal steps.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its attention had been drawn to media reports indicating that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik had nullified the positions of the elected, but yet-to-be-inaugurated, state chairmen.
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The party, however, clarified that its earlier position on the matter remains unchanged, noting that the recent congresses were not intended to prematurely terminate the tenure of existing state executives.
“It would be recalled that we issued a statement shortly after the congresses stating that the congresses did not truncate the tenure of the current State Executives, which will run their full course before the newly elected State Executives are inaugurated,” the statement read.
The ADC’s response suggests that the controversy surrounding the leadership structure at the state level may be rooted in the timing and interpretation of its internal transition process. By maintaining that current executives are to complete their tenure, the party appears to be positioning the newly elected officials as successors rather than immediate replacements.
Political observers note that such disputes are not uncommon within Nigerian parties, particularly following congresses and internal elections, where questions of tenure, succession, and legitimacy often lead to legal challenges.
The reported court ruling, if upheld, could have implications for the party’s internal cohesion, especially as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the next electoral cycle. However, the ADC leadership has indicated that it is taking a measured approach.
“The leadership of the ADC has instructed its legal team to review the said judgment and advise the party appropriately,” Abdullahi stated.
This move signals the party’s intention to pursue clarity through legal channels rather than escalate internal tensions. It also reflects a broader trend among political parties to increasingly rely on the judiciary to resolve intra-party disputes—a development that has drawn both support and criticism in Nigeria’s democratic space.
While the full details of the court’s decision remain subject to legal interpretation, the ADC’s position underscores its effort to manage the transition within its ranks while preserving institutional order.
The outcome of the legal review is expected to determine the next steps for the party, including whether it will challenge the ruling or adjust its internal processes in line with the court’s interpretation.
For now, the situation highlights the delicate balance political parties must maintain between internal governance and external legal scrutiny, particularly in a political environment where leadership disputes can quickly escalate into broader institutional challenges.