The leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a dramatic legal turn as the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja nullified all congresses and the party’s national convention, declaring the entire process illegal and inconsistent with due process.
In its judgment delivered this morning, the court held that the congresses conducted across various states, as well as the national convention that produced party executives, failed to comply with the constitutional provisions of the party and the legal requirements guiding internal party administration.
According to the ruling, the exercises were carried out in violation of laid-down procedures, thereby rendering the outcomes invalid and unenforceable. The court specifically directed party chairmen and relevant stakeholders to return to the drawing board and conduct fresh congresses and a valid national convention in accordance with the ADC constitution and democratic principles.
This judgment is seen as a major setback for factions within the party that had relied on the disputed convention to consolidate control over the ADC structure. It also strengthens the position of aggrieved members and state chairmen who had consistently protested what they described as imposition, exclusion, and a deliberate sidelining of duly recognized party structures.
The ruling may further deepen the internal power struggle involving key figures such as former Senate President David Mark and other coalition actors accused of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership framework without proper consultation with grassroots stakeholders.
Political observers believe the verdict could significantly affect the opposition coalition plans ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially for groups seeking to use ADC as a united political platform for a broader alliance involving supporters of Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Atiku Abubakar, and other opposition leaders.
For many party faithful, the judgment is being seen as a victory for internal democracy and due process, while also serving as a warning against political shortcuts and elite manipulation of party structures.
With fresh congresses now ordered, attention shifts to whether the ADC leadership can peacefully reorganize and rebuild trust among its members or whether the crisis will escalate into deeper divisions capable of weakening the party’s national relevance.
