The African Democratic Congress says it remains focused on internal unity and preparing for the 2027 general election despite recent Supreme Court rulings involving opposition party leadership disputes.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News, Lawal Batagarawa, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, said the party is working through internal processes while managing disagreements within its structure.
Batagarawa said the judiciary has continued to play a stabilising role in Nigeria’s political system. “The judiciary in Nigeria from 1999 to date has been a source of stability,” he said.
He said courts have generally tried to balance party autonomy with legal protections in cases involving internal disputes. “Where an issue of fundamental human rights is involved, the courts will interfere to ensure that the rights of every Nigerian is protected,” he said.
He added that political parties must strengthen internal discipline to avoid frequent legal battles. “We need to have a certain level of maturity within the political parties and manage ourselves better so that we do not bring the judiciary into these disputes,” he said.
Batagarawa said the ADC leadership under David Mark has broad acceptance within the party structure, despite ongoing disagreements. “The current leadership under Senator David Mark has the acceptance and the confidence of all levels of the party leadership,” he said.
He said internal congresses have continued across states as part of efforts to strengthen party structures. “We are running the congresses that stopped… from the ward to the national level,” he said.
On opposition alignment, he said discussions between political groups are still ongoing and will continue despite court rulings. “The outcome of today’s judgement will not stop the discussions that are taking place between ADC and PDP, and other political parties,” he said.
Batagarawa also expressed confidence in the party’s direction ahead of the next general election. “We are so certain we are going to win the election of 2027,” he said.
Ademide Adebayo
