APC defections may rise after a court nullified parts of INEC’s 2027 election timetable, according to the ADC

The African Democratic Congress has predicted a wave of APC defections following a Federal High Court ruling nullifying parts of the 2027 election timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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The opposition party made the prediction in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The ADC welcomed the court judgement, particularly the decision affecting deadlines for party primaries and membership registration requirements, describing the ruling as a victory for constitutional rights and political freedom.

According to the party, the nullified provisions had created unnecessary restrictions for politicians seeking to contest elections on alternative political platforms.

“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC,” the statement said.

“Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party.”

The ADC stated that the judgement validated its earlier objections to aspects of the INEC guidelines when they were first introduced.

The party recalled raising concerns over what it described as rigid timelines governing party primaries and membership registration ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the ADC, some of the provisions directly contradicted constitutional guarantees on political participation and freedom of association.

“The decision of the Court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the party stated.

The ruling is expected to reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as parties begin internal consultations and preparations for primaries.

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Analysts believe the judgement could encourage fresh political alignments and intensify competition among opposition parties seeking to attract dissatisfied members of the ruling All Progressives Congress.