The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has assured its members and supporters that the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s congresses will not affect its primary elections or the candidates who emerged from them.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the judgment only relates to the election of its ward, local government and state executive committees and has no impact on the direct primaries conducted by the party.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) notes the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday in a matter relating to party congresses for the election of ward, local government and state executive committees of the party,” the statement read.

The party stressed that the ruling does not invalidate the emergence of its candidates at any level.

“We wish to assure members of the party and the general public that this judgment has no effect whatsoever on the direct primaries through which the party’s candidates have emerged at all levels,” it said.

The ADC also disclosed that it had begun the process of challenging the judgment at a higher court, insisting that it disagrees with the decision.

“The party has already commenced the process of appealing the judgment, which we respectfully disagree with and consider to be legally unsustainable,” the statement added.

The party further said it took note of the dissenting judgment delivered by the presiding justice, describing it as more consistent with its position and the law.

“We also note the dissenting judgment of the presiding Justice, which, in our view, more accurately reflects the settled position of the law and the party’s position,” it stated.

The ADC appealed to its members and supporters across the country to remain calm and focused despite the court ruling.

“We urge all party members and the millions of our supporters to remain calm, confident and focused,” the statement said.

The party said it would continue to pursue its goal of offering Nigerians a credible alternative through constitutional and lawful means.

“The African Democratic Congress remains committed to the task of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative and will continue to pursue that mission in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law,” the statement added.

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church, on Sunday urged worshippers to secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)  ahead of the country’s 2027 general elections.

He gave the advice while delivering a sermon at Canaan Land, in Ota, Ogun, where the congregation gathered for a service titled: ‘ Breaking the Curses of Life’.

Oyedepo emphasised  that obtaining the card is a civic responsibility, stressing that members must not neglect their right to participate in shaping the nation’s  future.

He declared that the PVC empowered  citizens to decide who governs them, insisting that no one should be disenfranchised in the coming general elections.

The cleric reminded worshippers that their votes carried a lot of  weight and therefore urged them to prepare early, rather than wait until the election season kicked off.

According to him,  political leadership influences national destiny and that believers must not remain passive when opportunities to choose leaders present themselves.

He further stressed that spiritual authority does not replace civic duty, adding that Christians must balance prayers  with active participation in democratic processes.

“We have a right to determine who rules us and this church, with the millions we are, has a say in it, so be part of it,” he said.

The sermon concluded with a call for collective responsibility, urging the faithful to see their PVCs as instruments of change and national transformation.

The Federal High Court in Sokoto has adjourned hearing in the leadership case involving the Sokoto State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to July 22, 2026.

The court also awarded N500,000 in costs against counsel to the 1st defendant and directed him to reimburse the plaintiff’s counsel for air transportation and other related travel expenses upon presentation of valid receipts.

The ruling followed an application for adjournment filed by counsel to the 1st defendant, Dr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN, and moved by Barrister Salmanu Jabo.

Jabo told the court that his principal was unavoidably absent due to engagements related to the matter and said several defence processes had yet to be served on all parties, particularly the 4th and 5th defendants. 

He argued that proceeding with the hearing would violate the principle of fair hearing.

Counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi, SAN, supported the application, while counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Mathew Burkaa, SAN, opposed it, arguing that repeated adjournments had delayed the determination of the case.

In his ruling, Justice Ahmad Mahmud Gama held that all parties must first be properly served and given the opportunity to respond before the matter could proceed, noting that failure to do so would undermine the principles of fair hearing.

The judge subsequently granted the application for adjournment, awarded costs against the 1st defendant’s counsel, and fixed July 22, 2026, for further hearing.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Jabo said the adjournment was necessary because some parties had not been served with key court documents.