Nigeria’s opposition coalition has suffered a major setback after the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling restricting the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s caretaker leadership from conducting state congresses, deepening a leadership crisis that threatens the coalition’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment is the latest twist in a prolonged internal dispute within the ADC, the political party that several prominent opposition leaders had adopted as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Appeal Court Upholds Lower Court Ruling
In a split two-to-one decision, the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed an earlier Federal High Court judgment that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing state congresses organized by committees loyal to the ADC’s caretaker leadership under former Senate President David Mark.
The appellate court also upheld the lower court’s position that the caretaker committee should not interfere with the functions of the party’s elected state executives.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Okon Abang stated that judicial intervention was necessary to preserve democratic order and prevent further instability within the party. The court relied in part on a recent Supreme Court decision involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), holding that the dispute extended beyond internal party affairs because of its potential impact on Nigeria’s electoral process.
In addition, the court ordered the Mark-led faction to pay ₦10 million in damages to the ADC’s state chairmen, ruling that its actions violated provisions of the party’s constitution.
How the Dispute Began
The legal battle originated from a lawsuit filed by several ADC state chairmen and members of the party’s executive committees.
The plaintiffs argued that only constitutionally elected state organs—not a caretaker national leadership—have the authority to conduct state congresses under the party’s constitution.
The Federal High Court agreed with that position in a judgment delivered on April 29, prompting the caretaker leadership to appeal. The Court of Appeal has now reaffirmed that decision, leaving the earlier ruling intact.
Supreme Court to Decide
Despite the setback, the David Mark-led caretaker committee has vowed to continue the legal fight.
The faction has already filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, maintaining that the Court of Appeal’s decision neither removed the caretaker leadership nor invalidated candidates whose names had already been submitted to INEC.
The appeal means the dispute over control of the party remains unresolved, with the country’s highest court expected to deliver the final legal interpretation.
Coalition Under Pressure
The leadership crisis comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s opposition.
The ADC had emerged as the preferred platform for a broad coalition of opposition politicians seeking to present a united challenge to the APC in the 2027 elections. The coalition was expected to bring together influential figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, in an effort to avoid another fragmented opposition vote.
However, the prolonged court battle has raised fresh questions about the coalition’s ability to organize effectively ahead of the elections.
Political analysts say the uncertainty could complicate efforts to conduct party congresses, nominate candidates, and establish a unified campaign structure before the 2027 electoral timetable begins.
Until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict, questions remain over which faction legitimately controls the party’s organizational machinery and whether future party decisions will receive recognition from INEC.
Wider Opposition Challenges
The ADC’s internal crisis reflects broader challenges confronting Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the next general election.
Reports of disagreements over presidential ambitions, ongoing defections, and negotiations among opposition parties have highlighted the difficulties of building a united front against the ruling APC.
Meanwhile, the APC has continued to strengthen its political position across several states. Governor Biodun Oyebanji secured re-election in Ekiti State in June by a wide margin, although election observers raised concerns over irregularities and inconsistencies in some polling-unit result sheets.
Looking Ahead
With the case now before the Supreme Court, the ADC’s leadership dispute remains unresolved, leaving the opposition coalition in a state of uncertainty at a crucial stage of its preparations for the 2027 elections.
The eventual ruling will not only determine who controls the party’s leadership structure but could also shape the coalition’s ability to present a united challenge in what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched elections.
