Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has warned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against inaugurating state caretaker committees while its leadership dispute remains before the Supreme Court, saying the move could undermine the party’s legal position and jeopardise its participation in the 2027 general elections.
Dalung, who serves as Director of the Mandate Protection Directorate of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, accused the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, of proceeding with the appointment of caretaker committee members across the 36 states despite ongoing legal proceedings involving some of the affected officials.
In a video statement released on Tuesday, Dalung said the appointment letters circulating on social media reportedly named individuals who had previously been removed from their positions by the Court of Appeal and were challenging the decisions before the Supreme Court.
“We woke up this morning with social media inundated with letters of appointment of caretaker committee members for the 36 states, signed by the national secretary of the party,” he said.
He faulted the decision to appoint the affected individuals while their appeals remained pending, arguing that the action could be interpreted as an attempt to pre-empt the Supreme Court’s eventual judgment.
“This action of the party is intended to undermine the integrity of the judiciary and to pre-empt the decision of the matter before your lordships at the Supreme Court,” Dalung stated.
The former minister maintained that the party could not simultaneously challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision at the apex court and proceed to reinstate the same officials through caretaker committee appointments.
He described the development as inconsistent with the principles of the rule of law, insisting that political parties must respect judicial proceedings, particularly when their leadership structures are being contested.
Dalung issued a direct warning that proceeding with the planned inauguration could have consequences for the ADC’s preparations for the next general elections.
“Should the party proceed to inaugurate these persons, the consequences are obvious. It means ADC is not committed to participating in the 2027 election,” he warned.
He also questioned the administrative procedure adopted in issuing the appointment letters, arguing that documents of such importance should carry the signatures of both the National Chairman and National Secretary.
Dalung wondered why Aregbesola signed the letters alone, considering that the appointees would be responsible for managing the party’s affairs across the states.
He further disclosed that he had repeatedly advised against the appointments and distanced himself from the decision, declaring that he would not support any action capable of undermining the judicial process.
“As a lawyer, I will never stand with the party to undermine the judicial process,” he said.
The ADC chieftain urged the national leadership to immediately withdraw the appointment letters and maintain its appeal before the Supreme Court until the court determines the dispute.
He cautioned that should the apex court eventually deliver a judgment unfavourable to the party, its leadership should not blame external forces for the consequences of decisions taken while the matter was still pending.
Describing any resulting setback as self-inflicted, Dalung said the party should exercise restraint rather than take administrative steps that could complicate its legal challenges.
The warning comes amid continuing leadership disputes within the ADC following a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 5, which nullified the David Mark-led caretaker committee and invalidated decisions taken under its authority.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, challenging the emergence of the caretaker leadership.
The affected ADC leadership has pursued legal options against the ruling, with the dispute now forming part of the wider uncertainty surrounding the party’s organisational structure and preparations for the 2027 elections.
Dalung’s intervention adds another dimension to the crisis, as the party faces pressure to resolve its leadership disagreements while navigating ongoing litigation and preparations for the next electoral cycle.
