Politics
INEC’s Objections Can’t Stop ADC From 2027 Elections — Dalung
Former Minister of Sports and African Democratic Congress (ADC) stalwart, Solomon Dalung, has expressed confidence that the party remains firmly positioned to contest the 2027 elections, regardless of reservations raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its leadership documentation.
Dalung, who featured on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, stressed that the ADC is still a duly registered political party and has maintained its presence in Nigeria’s democratic space for nearly two decades.
“The ADC is a registered political party in Nigeria and has been in existence for more than 19 years. The party is currently undergoing a transition process where coalition elements have been integrated, but it is misleading to suggest that it is an association rather than a party,” he affirmed.
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INEC had earlier refused to recognize Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, insisting that proper procedures must be followed before any documents signed by them could be deemed valid.
Reacting, Dalung admitted that INEC’s requirements must be adhered to and confirmed that steps are already being taken to comply.
“The requirements of INEC are legal obligations, and the ADC has no choice but to comply. To the best of my knowledge, party leaders are working tirelessly to ensure proper documentation is concluded,” he explained.
He emphasized that the coalition is committed to doing things differently from other political parties by strictly respecting the rule of law.
“If injustice, impunity, lack of internal democracy and lack of respect for the rule of law have undermined our democracy, then the coalition must ensure that everything is done strictly within the law,” Dalung noted.
Dalung also responded to allegations by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, who claimed the ADC had been hijacked by external forces. He dismissed the claims, saying they lacked merit.
“The former presidential candidate is a member of the party, but being a candidate in the last election does not automatically make him part of the organs of the party.
“The ADC is guided by its constitution, and I do not see where the right he claims is allocated to him. He is entitled to his opinion, but describing fellow members in derogatory terms is inappropriate,” Dalung said.
He further revealed that the issue concerning the specimen signatures of the ADC’s leadership had almost been resolved.
“Let me confirm that the issue has been settled, and within a few days Nigerians will be properly informed of the outcome,” he added.
Projecting into the future, the former minister insisted that the ADC is ready to provide Nigerians with a strong political alternative.
“The ADC is prepared for 2027, and these challenges, whether internal wrangling or procedural requirements, are part of the normal growth process. From our activities nationwide, it is clear that Nigerians can rely on us to provide a credible alternative to the ruling party,” Dalung declared.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that the persistent crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by his deputy, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state and supported by political stakeholders across Zamfara.
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According to the statement, Governor Lawal had remained committed to the PDP despite the ongoing leadership crisis and had made several efforts to reconcile factions within the party.
However, attempts to achieve peace and unity reportedly failed, leading to prolonged legal battles.
The development followed a judgment by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court.
The earlier judgment had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governor was said to have informed political stakeholders during a series of meetings that he would make a final decision about his political future after the appellate court delivered its ruling.
Following the judgment, Lawal concluded that joining the APC would better position him to continue what he described as the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”
His defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Zamfara State and could influence political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has handed a significant setback to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dismissing his appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling that questioned his eligibility to contest the upcoming governorship election.
A three-member panel delivered a unanimous judgment on Monday, affirming that the trial court acted correctly when it allowed Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, the plaintiff, to amend his originating summons.
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Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who read the lead judgment, said the governor failed to show that the High Court’s decision caused any miscarriage of justice or denied him a fair hearing.
The appeal was therefore dismissed for lacking merit, and the court awarded ₦2 million in costs against Aiyedatiwa.
The ruling reinforces the November 24, 2025, Federal High Court decision in Akure, which granted Egbuwalo permission to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility for re-election.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal also rejected an application by Aiyedatiwa to set aside a January 27, 2026, order staying proceedings in the case before the Federal High Court.
The appellate court clarified that the stay was a lawful exercise of its jurisdiction aimed at protecting the integrity of the proceedings.
The panel further emphasized that attempting to overturn its own order would be akin to sitting on appeal over its own decision.
The governor’s remaining option, the court noted, is to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court. Another ₦2 million in costs was awarded against Aiyedatiwa.
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party has deepened following a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upheld a ban on the party’s proposed national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-man panel of the appellate court on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear a suit concerning the controversial convention.
The Turaki-led faction had approached the Court of Appeal after a Federal High Court barred the party from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 14 and 15, 2025.
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The lower court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising or validating the proposed convention.
However, delivering judgment, the appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court had the authority to entertain the case, rejecting the argument that the matter was purely an internal affair of the party.
According to the court, the appellants could not present what it described as a clear violation of the party’s constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as merely an internal party issue.
The panel subsequently dismissed the appeal and awarded a cost of N2 million against the appellants.
The ruling is part of judgments delivered in nine harmonised appeals filed by the Turaki-led faction over the dispute surrounding the convention.
The latest court decision is expected to further intensify the internal wrangling within the opposition party as it continues to grapple with leadership disputes and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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