Veteran journalist, Reuben Abati, has stated that, constitutionally, the Supreme Court has not done anything wrong by not yet delivering a verdict on the leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He, however, warned that there is a danger in the continued delay as the ADC may not be able to field candidates in the 2027 election if the apex court does not rule on its lingering leadership crisis.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the former presidential aide added that should that happen, it will leave room for insinuations that the Supreme Court is working in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, “Constitutionally, the Supreme Court has the right to reserve its judgment for three months, so the Supreme Court can say we have not done anything wrong, we are still looking at the matter, so we will deliver our judgment when we will, and we will give our reasons.
But the danger in that is that those who criticise the Supreme Court will say that the Supreme Court is stalling because it wants to fulfil the purpose of the ruling party, the APC because if it takes three months in a matter that is time boud, it will mean that the ADC can not even filed any candidate, they’ll be left out of the entire process.”
He made the submission while speaking on Wednesday during a programme by Arise News.
Abati spoke against the backdrop of the letter written by the ADC to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, asking for a quick decision from the Supreme Court over the party’s ongoing leadership dispute.
The request was made in a letter dated April 28, 2026, by lawyers representing the faction linked to former Senate President David Mark.
The legal team said the delay in delivering judgment could affect the party’s chances of taking part in the 2027 general elections.
TheTimes Nigeria also recalls that the Supreme Court had earlier heard the case on April 22, 2026, and reserved its judgment without giving a date.
The matter is being handled by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, following appeals challenging earlier rulings from lower courts on the party’s leadership crisis.
