ADC Alleges Plot to Shut Its Candidates Out of 2027 Elections

• The ADC has alleged that its leadership dispute is being used to stop its candidates from contesting in 2027, as the party prepares to challenge the judgment.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the legal challenge against its leadership is intended to prevent it from fielding candidates in the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Legal Adviser, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, made the allegation during an Arise News interview on Thursday, November 5.

He accused interests within the ruling All Progressives Congress of supporting the challenge and attempting to undermine confidence in the ADC and Atiku Abubakar.

Osunbor said the party intended to appeal and seek a stay of execution. At the time of the interview, he said it had not received the certified true copy of the judgment.

He urged supporters to remain focused and continue party activities.

His allegations of political sponsorship were not independently established in the report.

The reaction followed Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment nullifying the David Mark-led ADC leadership and decisions taken under it, including Atiku’s presidential nomination.

The case was brought by former Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the leadership transition after Ralph Nwosu’s resignation.

Gombe argued that he was entitled to assume leadership under the party’s constitution. The court upheld his challenge and directed INEC not to recognise the affected decisions and nominations.

The dispute had previously reached the Supreme Court, which directed the Federal High Court to conclude the substantive proceedings.

An announced appeal or proposed stay application does not establish that the judgment has been suspended or overturned.