Abuja, NIGERIA — The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has categorically denied reports suggesting it is in talks with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) regarding a potential merger or coalition ahead of an upcoming court judgment.
In a press statement released on Monday, April 20, 2026, the party’s National Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the rumors as “speculative and preemptive.” Okay News reports that the ADC leadership remains focused on its legal challenge against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and what it terms “agents of the ruling party” over the recent de-recognition of its national executive.
The denial comes as the Supreme Court is set to hear an accelerated appeal on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, concerning the party’s leadership crisis. The case, marked SC/CV/180/2026, follows a Court of Appeal decision that led INEC to remove the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s Chairman and Secretary from its official portal. The apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, has fast-tracked the hearing due to the “extreme urgency” of the leadership question.
Abdullahi emphasized that while the ADC is open to expanding its coalition with other opposition elements to “rescue the country,” it has no intention of abdicating its responsibility or abandoning the ADC platform. He expressed confidence that the judiciary would “resist the pressure to be complicit in undermining Nigeria’s democracy” and restore the party’s recognized leadership structure.
The leadership crisis has drawn significant attention as high-profile figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, have previously aligned with the ADC as a potential platform for the 2027 general elections. The Supreme Court’s ruling is expected to provide a definitive resolution to the months-long tussle for control of the party’s structure.
The ADC has urged its supporters to ignore the rumors of a merger and remain steadfast as the legal process reaches its conclusion this week.
