Supreme Court: Why ADC may not be on ballot

The Supreme Court, yesterday, reserved judgment in the appeals and cross-appeals arising from the leadership crises in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and African Democratic Congress, ADC, after hearing all parties. The apex court did not fix any date for its rulings, a decision that has varying implications for the feuding camps in both parties. In the PDP, the case has already reshaped the party’s leadership, with earlier court decisions nullifying its Ibadan convention that produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman and upholding the suspension of key officials.

This means that the PDP national executive, backed by the Federal Capital Territorry, FCT, Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, that is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will remain in control, pending the verdict.

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However, the ADC appears worse off as none of its three factions, led by Senator David Mark, Nafiu Bala Gombe and Ogga Temitope, is recognised by the electoral commission.

All the registered political parties have up till May 10 to submit their membership registers to INEC or they would not be eligible to sponsor candidates for the 2027 general polls.

This means if the Supreme Court did not deliver its verdict within 18 days, the ADC will not be on the ballot.

We expect justice from Judiciary — Turaki-led PDP

After proceedings at the apex court, where the appeals challenging judgments delivered by Justices Omotosho and Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, and affirmed by the Court of Appeal, the Turaki-led PDP faction, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said it expected justice from the court.

The Court of Appeal had upheld the earlier rulings of the Federal High Court, which nullified the PDP’s convention held in Ibadan and sustained the suspension of several party officers, including Samuel Anyanwu and A.K. Ajibade, SAN. Vanguard