•ADC chieftains during a conference organised by the party in Abuja, recently
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed claims that it will not field candidates in the 2027 general elections, insisting that there is no legal barrier preventing its participation in the polls.
It was earlier reported how the party was plunged into crisis after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) de-recognised the David Mark-led leadership.
In September 2025, a chieftain of the party, Naifu Bala, who claimed to be its chairman, filed a suit at the Federal High Court seeking to stop Mark’s group from acting as party leaders, reports Sunday Trust.
Although the Mark-led leadership filed an appeal, the Court of Appeal dismissed it on March 12, 2026.
Citing the litigation, INEC said it would maintain the status quo ante bellum.
The David Mark-led ADC later held its convention and expelled Bala, alongside other members.
Bala, however, described the convention as a nullity and an affront to the Court of Appeal judgment.
The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the Court of Appeal’s order on status quo ante bellum in the leadership dispute of the ADC.
Following the ruling, INEC reinstated the names of former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on its official portal as recognised leaders of the party.
In a statement on his X handle yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party remains focused on its mission to wrest power from the APC-led government.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that we remain focused on our mission to rescue Nigeria from the failure of the APC-led government and to prevent the dangerous slide toward a one-party state.
“We have taken note of recent suggestions that the ADC will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections. We find such claims to be entirely unfounded, mischievous, and designed to create confusion where none exists. They have no basis in law, in fact, or in the reality of our preparations as a political party.
“The ADC will present candidates in the 2027 general elections. Not just candidates, but credible, competent, and nationally acceptable candidates who are capable of leading this country out of its current crisis.”
The party further stated that there is no legal impediment to its participation in the next general elections, adding that it is mobilising Nigerians to oust the current government.
“We remain a law-abiding political party, fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. There is no legal impediment to our participation in the 2027 elections, and any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and dampen the growing momentum around our party.
“The ADC stands today as the primary opposition platform in Nigeria, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are not distracted by noise. We are focused on the real work, organising across the country, mobilising Nigerians who are tired of insecurity, rising costs of living, and limited opportunities, and building the structures required not just to contest, but to win.
“We urge our members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these baseless assertions. The task before us is too important to be derailed by speculation,” it added.
