Kachikwu Celebrates Court Victory, Says ADC Hijack Plot Failed

Former presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumebi Kachikwu, has hailed the Federal High Court judgment nullifying recent congresses and conventions conducted by a faction allegedly aligned with former Senate President David Mark, describing the exercise as “kangaroo congresses and conventions.”

Kachikwu made the remarks while reacting to a judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which reportedly invalidated the disputed congresses and convention conducted by the rival faction within the party.

In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, Kachikwu described the judgment as a major setback for individuals he accused of attempting to illegally take control of the ADC structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Today, a Federal High Court in Maitama nullified the kangaroo congresses and convention conducted by the David Mark-led group,” Kachikwu said.

According to him, Justice Abdulmalik held that the group lacked the legal standing to organise the congresses and convention in the first place.

“In her judgement, which could be classified as a stinging rebuke, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that even though this group didn’t have any locus, they proceeded to conduct, in her own words, ‘kangaroo congresses and convention,’ which she proceeded to nullify,” he stated.

Kachikwu further explained that the court recognised the state chairmen of the party, who constitute the National Executive Committee (NEC), as the legitimate body empowered to organise congresses and national conventions for the party.

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“She also held that, with the lacuna within the leadership of the ADC, the state chairmen of the party who make up the NEC of the party are the rightful body to conduct a national convention and congresses at the different levels and that INEC should recognise them as such,” he added.

The ADC chieftain said he had repeatedly warned against attempts by external political actors to seize control of the party structure for personal political interests.

“I had long warned that the ADC is not for sale and that these political buccaneers would be shown the way out through the same back door they came in from,” he declared.

Kachikwu maintained that the court ruling had now exposed what he described as a failed attempt to hijack the opposition party.

“With this judgment, it has become clear that these desperados who attempted to hijack our party have failed woefully. We are aware that they are shopping for other parties to destroy and wish them bon voyage,” he said.

The internal crisis within the ADC has intensified in recent months amid growing political realignments and coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections.

Several opposition politicians and political blocs have reportedly explored alliances with smaller parties, including the ADC, as part of broader efforts to reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Although former Senate President David Mark has not publicly responded to the latest allegations or the court ruling, the judgment is expected to deepen the leadership dispute within the party.

Kachikwu also used the opportunity to reassure party supporters that the ADC remains stable and will participate fully in future elections.

“To our party faithful, I urge you to remain vigilant. The battle is not over till it is over,” he stated.

“The ADC will be on next year’s ballot, and any Nigerian who genuinely desires to salvage Nigeria should see the ADC as a ready home. We shall overcome.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to issue an official statement regarding the implications of the court ruling on the party’s leadership structure.

Political observers say the development could significantly influence ongoing opposition coalition discussions and internal power struggles within smaller political parties ahead of 2027.

Kachikwu Celebrates Court Victory, Says ADC Hijack Plot Failed

BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in any state congresses organised by committees set up by the caretaker leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik held that the authority to conduct state congresses lies solely with the party’s state executive structures, not the national leadership.

The court affirmed that the existing State Working Committees and State Executive Committees of the ADC remain validly constituted, noting that their four-year tenure is still in force. According to the court, these structures can only be dissolved or replaced through properly conducted congresses followed by a duly convened national convention.

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Justice Abdulmalik further ruled that the caretaker or interim National Working Committee led by David Mark lacks the legal authority to constitute committees for the purpose of conducting state congresses. She stressed that neither the Nigerian Constitution nor the ADC’s internal constitution confers such powers on an interim leadership.

The ruling followed a suit instituted by Don Norman Obinna, Johnny Tovie Derek, Obah C. Ehigiator, Hon. Olona Yinka, Dr. Charles Idowu Omideji, Samuel Pam Gyang, and Obianyo Patrick, who approached the court on behalf of themselves and other state party leaders nationwide.

The plaintiffs argued that the actions of the Mark-led caretaker committee were ultra vires, particularly in appointing congress committees. They contended that any congress conducted under such arrangements would contravene the party’s constitution and undermine internal democracy.

Named as defendants in the suit were the ADC, David Mark, Patricia Akwashiki, Bolaji Abdullahi, Rauf Aregbesola, Oserheimen Osunbor, and INEC, all cited for their roles in the caretaker arrangement.

The plaintiffs also challenged the planned April 2026 state congresses, insisting that allowing the caretaker leadership to oversee the process would erode due process and weaken internal party governance.

With the court’s decision, INEC is now barred from recognising any outcome arising from congresses conducted by committees linked to the ADC caretaker leadership.

BREAKING: Court Bars INEC from Recognising Mark-Led ADC Congresses

“Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan 

Tension is rising within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election, as aspirant Samuel Ajose has openly rejected moves to adopt a consensus candidate, insisting the party must conduct a full primary election.

Ajose accused Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, of avoiding an open contest by backing consensus arrangements instead of allowing party members to decide through primaries.

He made the remarks during an appearance on Politics Today on Tuesday, where he strongly criticised what he described as attempts to sideline other aspirants in the race.

Ajose argued that the idea of consensus is being misapplied within the party, stressing that true consensus requires the agreement of all aspirants who have already purchased nomination forms.

“We understand what consensus means. Consensus says that every aspirant who has picked the party nomination form must consent to it. We don’t know why Hamzat is scared of going into the primaries,” he said.

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He maintained that any credible aspirant should be willing to face delegates in a competitive primary, insisting that internal democracy remains the foundation of the APC’s strength in Lagos.

“If you are big, you have the popularity, the networks and the grassroots support, then let’s go into the primaries. Why is everybody scared of the primaries? Everybody must go into the primaries; that is what the constitution says,” he added.

Ajose also criticised reported endorsements allegedly backing Hamzat’s emergence as a consensus candidate. He described the move by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a “kangaroo endorsement,” arguing that it excluded other aspirants and lacked transparency.

He claimed that no inclusive meeting was held involving all governorship aspirants before the reported endorsement, insisting that the process undermines internal democracy within the party.

Beyond party politics, Ajose suggested that public dissatisfaction with governance in Lagos could influence the outcome of the 2027 election, arguing that voters are increasingly demanding change.

The controversy follows reports that the Governance Advisory Council, widely regarded as the highest decision-making body of the Lagos APC, had endorsed Hamzat as the party’s preferred consensus candidate during a meeting at Lagos House, Marina.

The reported decision has continued to generate debate within the party, with some stakeholders backing consensus to avoid internal division, while others insist that a primary election remains the most democratic option.

As preparations for 2027 intensify, the Lagos APC is expected to take a final position on whether it will proceed with a consensus arrangement or open its governorship ticket to a full contest among all aspirants.

“Hamzat Is Scared of Primaries” — Lagos APC Aspirant Rejects Consensus Plan