ADC Has Spent More Time in Court than Campaigning, Says Spokesman

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has lamented that the party has devoted more time to court cases than political campaigns and organisational development since its emergence as a coalition opposition platform in 2025.

Abdullahi made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, describing the numerous legal challenges facing the party as major obstacles to its political activities.

He said the party had been burdened by a series of court cases since its formation, limiting the time available to establish structures and mobilise supporters across the country.

Despite the challenges, Abdullahi maintained that the ADC had made significant progress in building what he described as a formidable opposition platform.

He attributed the legal disputes to alleged efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to weaken opposition parties and limit political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the objective was to discourage opposition activities and create a situation in which President Bola Tinubu would face limited competition at the polls.

He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the legal challenges, insisting that the coalition had followed the necessary procedures before joining the ADC.

The spokesman further criticised some judicial decisions in the party's leadership dispute, alleging that certain judges had allowed themselves to be used for political purposes.

However, the APC and the Presidency have repeatedly denied involvement in the ADC's internal leadership crisis, maintaining that the dispute is a matter for the courts.

The controversy follows a November 5 judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC and decisions taken under it, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for 2027.

The ruling followed a leadership dispute involving former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

The ADC has rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it through the appellate courts, insisting that the legal dispute would not prevent it from participating in the 2027 elections.

Abdullahi reaffirmed the party's determination to continue its political activities despite the challenges, describing its progress since 2025 as evidence of its growing presence in Nigeria's opposition politics.