The Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said he will challenge the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership crisis at the Supreme Court, insisting that the ruling does not affect his candidacy for the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said his legal team had been directed to seek a final interpretation of the judgment at the apex court.
He urged ADC members and supporters to remain calm, saying the party’s presidential ticket remains intact despite the court’s decision.
‘Judgment did not Void Primaries’
Atiku maintained that the Court of Appeal did not invalidate the ADC’s primary elections conducted to nominate candidates for the 2027 general election.
He argued that the judgment was limited to issues relating to the party’s state congresses and the tenure of its State Executive Committees.
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According to him, the election of party executives and the nomination of candidates through primary elections are separate legal processes governed by different provisions of the law.
“There is a clear legal distinction between the election of party executives through congresses and the nomination of candidates through statutory primaries. They are separate exercises serving different constitutional purposes,” he said.
Supreme Court to Decide
The former vice president said only the Supreme Court could give a final interpretation of the issues arising from the appellate court’s decision.
He also accused political opponents of misrepresenting the judgment, insisting that public commentary and political propaganda could not replace judicial pronouncements.
According to him, the courts can only determine issues brought before them, and any attempt to extend the judgment beyond its actual scope was legally unfounded.
Calls for Calm
Atiku expressed confidence in the judiciary and urged his supporters not to be discouraged by the latest development.
He said the legal challenge was part of the democratic process and reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the matter through constitutional means.
“The road to 2027 remains open. Our resolve has not changed, and we remain committed to offering Nigerians the leadership they deserve,” he said.
The Court of Appeal had earlier restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the ADC congresses that produced the David Mark-led leadership, a decision that has intensified the party’s internal leadership dispute ahead of the 2027 general election.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.