2027: Why ADC Supreme Court battle may weaken anti-APC coalition

Nigeria's main opposition coalition, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is embroiled in a leadership crisis that is now escalating to the Supreme Court. This internal conflict over party control threatens to undermine the coalition's electoral viability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For months, the ADC's narrative has been dominated by court orders, rival factions, and constitutional disputes, rather than policy debates or campaign strategies. Each legal judgment has led to further appeals, perpetuating an atmosphere of uncertainty that is politically damaging.

Last Monday, the Court of Appeal, in a split decision, upheld a Federal High Court ruling. This decision stated that elected state executive committees, not the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), have the authority to conduct state congresses. The appellate court also affirmed that congresses and a subsequent national convention organized by the Mark leadership were invalid due to alleged violation of a prior court order.

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They must present the facts showing that the caretaker committee (appointed by Mark-led NWC) was subsequently suspended and did not conduct the congresses or primaries.

The Mark faction has appealed this judgment to the Supreme Court. They maintain that the ruling did not remove their leadership or invalidate candidates already submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Legally, the dispute remains unresolved.

Constitutional lawyer Liborous Oshoma highlighted that the core issue is whether the ADC can prove the disputed congresses were conducted by lawful party structures, not a caretaker committee. He warned that if the party fails to provide such proof, the implications could extend beyond state executives, potentially jeopardizing the presidential ticket. "The truth will be laid bare, but time might not be on their side," Oshoma cautioned, underscoring that time, as much as law, is now a critical factor for the opposition.

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Yes, the presidential ticket is threatened by this court judgment… The truth will be laid bare, but time might not be on their side.