ADC Writes to Chief Justice: Rule on Our Appeal Before Friday or We’re Locked Out of 2027

The African Democratic Congress has sent a letter directly to Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, asking the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment on the party’s leadership dispute within three days — or risk locking the ADC out of the 2027 general election.

In the letter dated April 28 and signed by ADC’s lead counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), the party warned that every day without a ruling is a day INEC’s 2027 timetable moves forward without them. The apex court heard the appeal on April 22 and reserved judgment without giving a specific date.

What’s at Stake

The problem is INEC. While the appeal sits pending, the electoral commission — acting on a lower court ruling — has already de-recognised ADC’s leadership, leaving the party effectively headless. Without recognised leadership, ADC cannot file candidate nominations, participate in primaries, or comply with any of INEC’s statutory requirements for the 2027 election.

“The ADC ability to comply with these statutory requirements to participate in the 2027 General Election is wholly dependent on the timely delivery of the judgement in the instant appeal,” Aruwa wrote.

The letter also draws attention to what ADC calls deliberate APC interference — accusing the ruling party of “sowing seeds of instability in political parties.” Atiku Abubakar has separately warned that the 2027 election will be in jeopardy if the judiciary fails the opposition at this moment.

The Friday deadline is not arbitrary. APC’s primaries timetable kicks off May 21, and opposition parties need functional leadership structures in place well before then to mount any credible challenge. The clock is running.

Sources: ThisDay, Daily Trust, Punch