Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that the party’s 2027 primary elections remain valid, despite the recent Court of Appeal ruling on the party’s leadership crisis.
Reacting to Monday’s judgment, Atiku dismissed claims that the court had nullified the ADC’s presidential ticket, describing such reports as misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku explained that the Appeal Court’s decision only addressed the conduct of the party’s state congresses and the tenure of its State Executive Committees, not the primary elections that produced the party’s candidates.
“The judgment relates to the conduct of state congresses and not the party’s primary elections,” he stated.
The former vice president stressed that party congresses and candidate nomination through primary elections are separate legal processes governed by different laws and should not be confused.
He also criticised what he described as attempts by political opponents to misrepresent the court’s decision on social media, insisting that judicial rulings should not be interpreted through political propaganda.
According to Atiku, the ADC has already instructed its legal team to challenge the Appeal Court’s judgment at the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the apex court will provide a final resolution.
He urged party members and supporters not to be discouraged by the ruling, assuring them that the legal battle would continue through constitutional means.
“Let no supporter of the ADC lose sleep,” Atiku said, adding that the party remains committed to offering Nigerians an alternative in the 2027 general election.
The Appeal Court had earlier upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining INEC from recognising state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC.
However, Atiku maintained that the ruling does not invalidate candidates who emerged through the party’s direct primaries.
