The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says a Court of Appeal judgment delivered in Abuja regarding the party’s internal congresses will not affect candidates selected through its direct primaries. In statements issued on Monday, ADC officials argued that the appellate decision concerns congress processes, but does not change the outcomes of direct primary elections used to produce candidates at all levels. The party described the judgment as having “no effect whatsoever” on its direct primaries and the candidates that emerge from them, according to reports in multiple outlets.
The ADC’s position is framed as an assurance to its members and the public that the primaries remain valid for candidate selection purposes. While the outlets report that the Court of Appeal ruling followed a case involving the election of ADC officers and/or the party’s congresses, the party insists that the ruling does not extend to its candidate nomination method through direct primaries.
The statements also indicate ADC is responding to the Monday appellate court development and clarifying what it believes the judgment means for upcoming or ongoing electoral processes involving ADC candidates.
