THE Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims that a recent Court of Appeal judgment nullified the party’s primary elections ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement released through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku clarified that the appellate court’s decision was limited to issues surrounding the conduct of the party’s state congresses and the tenure of state executive committees, stressing that it did not affect candidates who emerged from the party’s direct primary elections.
He described suggestions that the judgment had invalidated the ADC’s presidential ticket as misleading political propaganda intended to confuse Nigerians and weaken the opposition.
According to Atiku, the legal processes governing party congresses and candidate nomination are separate and should not be treated as the same.
He explained that while congresses are used to elect party executives, primary elections are conducted under the Electoral Act to nominate candidates for public office.
The former vice president further noted that courts are only empowered to rule on issues brought before them, arguing that interpreting the judgment as a cancellation of the party’s primaries goes beyond what was actually decided.
He also criticised what he called the spread of misleading interpretations of the judgment on social media, insisting that legal decisions should be understood through the courts rather than online commentary.
Atiku disclosed that the ADC has already instructed its legal team to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the apex court will provide final clarification on the matter.
Despite the ruling, he encouraged party members and supporters not to lose hope, stating that the party remains committed to its goal of providing competent leadership, promoting economic recovery, strengthening national unity, and restoring hope for Nigerians.
The Court of Appeal, in a split 2-1 judgment delivered in Abuja, upheld an earlier Federal High Court decision restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC.
Justices Okon Abang and Donatus Okorowo formed the majority decision, ruling that the dispute involved constitutional issues rather than internal party affairs.
However, the presiding justice, Abba Mohammed, disagreed, maintaining that the matter was purely an internal party issue and should not have been entertained by the Federal High Court.
Following the judgment, the ADC announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, maintaining that the ruling has no impact on candidates who emerged through its primary elections.
Reaffirming the party’s resolve, Atiku said the ADC remains focused on the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that its political aspirations cannot be derailed by what he described as propaganda.
He added that the party remains committed to its objective and believes it will achieve success with the support of Nigerians.
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