Uncertainty in ADC, PDP As Supreme Court Delays Judgment Ahead 2027
Aspirants seeking elective positions on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platforms, as well as the core opposition party leadership in Nigeria are currently in a state of uncertainty, and suspense.
This is as the Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the leadership tussles within the PDP and ADC, heightening fears over the internal stability of both parties ahead of the fast approaching 2027 general elections.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, fixed no date for judgment after hearing arguments from parties in separate appeals challenging the decisions of the lower courts on the disputes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced May 10 as the deadline for political parties to submit their membership registers.
It also fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The Commission further stated that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will be conducted between April 23, 2026 and May 30, 2026.
According to INEC, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
With both major opposition political parties now entangled in multiple litigations, coupled with the looming INEC deadline, their ability to stabilise and organise a clear schedule of activities has been significantly disrupted.
This has set the stage for further complications in party management and election preparations
This development has also left aspirants seeking elective positions on the PDP and ADC platforms in a state of uncertainty and despair, as the unfolding situation makes it increasingly difficult for them to determine their next line of action.
While the party leadership remains uncertain about its ability to produce candidates, members are also left in limbo.
Ultimately, the political future of many politicians within these parties now hangs in the balance, pending the Supreme Court’s final determination.
Against this backdrop of instability, the PDP has remained embroiled in a prolonged internal crisis, resulting in a split into two factions—one led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and supported by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, and the other headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed with the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
In a related development, the apex court also reserved judgment in an appeal filed by a former Senate President, David Mark, over the leadership tussle within the ADC.
On April 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the removal of key figures of the ADC, including National Chairman, Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, from its official register, stating that the action complied with a court order directing the commission to maintain the status quo pending the final judgment of the trial court.
The party has continued to grapple with a leadership crisis following the inauguration of a new National Working Committee under Mark’s leadership in July.
The dispute stemmed from disagreements over the tenure of former chairman Ralph Nwosu, who handed over the party leadership to the coalition group led by Mark, while sidelining his deputy, Nafiu Gombe, who insisted on assuming the role of acting chairman after Nwosu’s exit.
The disagreement later escalated into factional struggles for the control of the party, resulting in multiple legal battles at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and raising concerns about the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections.
The scenario has left many Nigerians and political observers concerned over the possibility of a vibrant opposition and alternative political platforms to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
