The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will abide by the final court decision on whether former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar can contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, said the commission was constitutionally bound to obey court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, regardless of their political implications.
Key Highlights
- INEC says the final court decision will determine Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election on the ADC platform.
- Chairman Joash Amupitan says the commission is constitutionally obligated to obey court orders.
- He spoke during a democracy dialogue at Chatham House in London.
- The Federal High Court had nullified the David Mark-led ADC leadership and invalidated decisions taken under it.
- The ADC has appealed the judgment and is seeking a stay of execution.
- Amupitan disclosed that INEC has more than 300 pending court cases as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
Amupitan made the remarks on Thursday during a dialogue at Chatham House in London, organised in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative. The discussion was themed, “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot”.
Responding to a question on whether Atiku could contest on the ADC platform if the judgment nullifying the leadership of the faction led by former Senate President David Mark was upheld, Amupitan said INEC would be guided by the outcome of the judicial process.
“If he eventually fails, well, I’m obligated under Section 285 of the Constitution of Nigeria to obey every court order, especially if it is from the Supreme Court,” he said.
INEC Wanted ADC Leadership Dispute Resolved Within Three Weeks
The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission had advocated an accelerated hearing of the ADC leadership dispute when it emerged in April, arguing that the matter should be resolved within three weeks to avoid complications for the 2027 electoral process.
“When it happened in April, the position of the commission was that the matter should be resolved within three weeks,” he said.
Amupitan explained that INEC had complied with a court directive to suspend action and await the determination of the dispute, which subsequently proceeded to the appellate court.
He also expressed concern over the increasing number of election-related lawsuits involving the commission, disclosing that INEC had more than 300 pending court cases with the 2027 elections approaching.
“Some of those issues we have with court cases, over 300 cases hanging on the neck of INEC, and elections is just about 66 days away,” he said.
INEC Begins Procurement of Sensitive Election Materials
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had commenced procurement of sensitive materials for the 2027 general elections.
He stressed the need for electoral reforms that would ensure pre-election disputes were resolved between six months and one year before polling.
According to him, early resolution of such cases would give the commission sufficient time to complete its logistical and operational preparations.
The INEC chairman acknowledged that the commission often faces public criticism when implementing judicial decisions but maintained that it was bound by the law.
Court Ruling Throws Atiku’s ADC Candidacy Into Legal Uncertainty
The development comes amid the leadership crisis in the ADC, which has raised questions about the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections and the validity of its presidential nomination process.
On November 5, 2026, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the ADC faction led by David Mark, declaring the process that produced the former Senate President and other national officers unlawful.
The judgment followed a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership after the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, and other party officials.
Justice Lifu also invalidated decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including those relating to the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025. The court further restrained INEC from recognising or acting on decisions taken at the meeting.
The ruling consequently cast doubt on the validity of the process through which Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The court also rejected a disputed resignation letter allegedly written by Gombe, which the Mark-led leadership had relied upon to argue that he voluntarily relinquished his position in the party. Justice Lifu ruled that the document did not constitute reliable evidence of Gombe’s voluntary resignation.
Read also:
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- ADC Members Protest At NJC, UN, Foreign Embassies Over Mark’s Removal
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ADC Appeals Judgment, Insists David Mark-Led Leadership Is Legitimate
The ADC has rejected the Federal High Court judgment and approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision.
The party has also sought a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal and formally notified INEC of the legal steps taken.
The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that Gombe voluntarily resigned, insisting that the party possessed the original copy of the resignation letter bearing his signature.
The legal dispute has raised questions about the validity of the ADC’s leadership structure, decisions taken by the Mark-led executive and the party’s ability to field candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Until the appeals process produces a final outcome, the dispute over the party’s leadership and Atiku’s nomination remains subject to judicial determination.
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