Appeal Court Upholds Ruling Against Recognition of Mark-led ADC Congresses
The Court of Appeal has affirmed a lower court's decision barring INEC from recognizing congresses of the African Democratic Congress led by Hassan Muhammad. The ruling intensifies internal party tensions as Atiku Abubakar's faction dismisses the rival group's claims.
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The Court of Appeal has affirmed a previous judgment barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any congresses of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) conducted under the leadership of Hassan Muhammad, according to a ruling reported by This Day on July 14, 2026. The decision reinforces legal challenges surrounding factional leadership within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The judgment centers on competing claims to control of the ADC, a minor opposition party that gained prominence during the 2023 presidential election through the candidacy of former vice president Atiku Abubakar. The faction led by Muhammad had convened congresses to assert administrative authority, but the court’s decision invalidates those proceedings, citing procedural and legal inconsistencies.
Despite the ruling, the ADC under Atiku Abubakar maintained that the judgment does not affect its internal party primaries or organizational structure. In a statement reported by This Day, Atiku rejected attempts to delegitimize his leadership, stating, 'Propaganda can’t change the law.' He further accused INEC of enabling President Bola Tinubu’s administration to undermine opposition unity, a claim that echoes broader concerns about electoral fairness.
The party’s official portal, aligned with Atiku’s faction, has since uploaded candidate lists and party documents, signaling continued operations independent of the court-impacted faction. Daily Trust noted that the ruling raises questions about the ADC’s internal cohesion, particularly as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections. With legal and administrative divisions persisting, the party’s ability to present a unified front remains under scrutiny.