Politics
ADC Crises Deepens As Court Nullifies State And LG Congresses
A State High Court sitting in Yola has nullified the Local Government and State Congresses conducted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, declaring the exercise invalid over breaches of due process.
The ruling followed a suit filed by the Adamawa State Chairman of the party, Comrade Shehu Yohanna, who challenged the congresses for failing to comply with established legal and party procedures.
Delivering judgment, Justice Isa Ahmed held that the congresses violated Section 84(4) of the Electoral Act as well as Article 18 of the ADC constitution.
He ruled that the defendants failed to follow laid-down guidelines and instead relied on what he described as a self-imposed procedure.
The court identified several irregularities in the conduct of the congresses, including lack of proper notice of the time for the elections and the use of an inappropriate venue.
Justice Ahmed said such lapses undermined the credibility and legality of the exercise.
In a consequential order, the court nullified all congresses conducted during the pendency of an earlier interim order.
The judge emphasised that actions taken in defiance of valid court orders cannot stand under the law.
About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.
This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.
Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.
Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.
This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.
Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.
Following weeks of consultation, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has finally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The defection, announced by the governor at the Government House on Saturday, follows weeks of speculation over his political future amid the crisis rocking the PDP.
Mohammed had earlier described the party as “headless” and signalled openness to alternative political platforms, a move analysts say could weaken the PDP by triggering an exodus of loyalists and reducing its grassroots support.
Earlier, reacting to the recent Supreme Court judgement on the PDP leadership dispute, the governor said the ruling prevented any faction from taking full control of the party.
He noted that neither his camp led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) nor the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, recorded outright victory.
We have succeeded in ensuring that no single individual hijacks the party,” he said.
In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Mohammed added, “As democrats who respect the rule of law, we accept the judgement. But it is not a victory for anyone.”
He stated that the party’s Board of Trustees would temporarily oversee its affairs in line with its constitution pending the formation of a caretaker committee.
The governor also accused Wike of working against the PDP, alleging that the FCT minister and his associates have ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mohammed said his decision to leave the PDP was aimed at securing a stable platform for his supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our hearts remain with the PDP, but politically we must move forward,” he said.
He also confirmed his intention to contest the Bauchi South Senatorial District seat in 2027, noting that consultations with alternative political parties preceded his decision to join the APM.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has finally dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC), according to multiple high-level insiders familiar with ongoing political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
Sources close to the development revealed that “the decision has been taken” following the Supreme Court ruling on the party’s lingering leadership crisis, which has continued to cast uncertainty over its stability and legal standing.
Insiders say former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is “fully aligned” with Obi and “moving in the same direction,” with both camps reportedly agreeing that “staying in ADC under these conditions is a risk we’re not willing to take.”
According to sources at the centre of the negotiations, the internal situation within the ADC has been described bluntly as “a setup.” One insider explained: “The plan is simple, bring everyone in, then knock them out on technical grounds.”
Concerns over potential legal battles appear to be a major factor driving the exit. “Once this gets to the Federal High Court, it’s over. Nobody will rescue you,” a senior source warned, pointing to fears that unresolved party disputes could jeopardize future candidacies.
The crisis is further compounded by tensions involving former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. Insiders claim his stance has “shut the door completely,” noting that “his refusal to step aside has hardened everything, there’s no path forward like this.”
Multiple sources confirmed that the withdrawal process is already underway. Obi and Kwankwaso have “stepped back deliberately,” while discussions around alternative political platforms have moved beyond preliminary stages. “Alternative platform talks are not exploratory anymore, they’re advanced,” one source disclosed.
Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention, insiders insist the ruling has done little to resolve the crisis. “The Supreme Court didn’t solve anything,” a source said. “It made the situation worse, and the legal risk is still hanging.”
Another insider emphasized the inevitability of the move: “This is not a maybe. It’s happening. The only thing left is timing.”
The development signals a major shift in Nigeria’s opposition landscape, as key political figures appear to be repositioning amid growing uncertainty within existing party structures.
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