Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, plans to escalate his legal battle to Nigeria's Supreme Court following an appeal court ruling that upheld an order blocking the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the party's state congresses. His spokesperson Phrank Shaibu released a statement clarifying the former vice president's position on the judgment.
Shaibu stressed that the appeal court decision did not invalidate the ADC's primary elections that produced Atiku as the party's flagbearer for the 2027 general election. The court's ruling, he explained, addressed only the conduct of state congresses and tenure matters for state executive committees.
A panel of justices—Okon Abang and Donatus Okorowo—upheld the Federal High Court's decision to stop former Senate President David Mark's leadership from removing state party chairmen without following constitutional procedures. The judges ruled that removing chairmen when their terms hadn't expired violated the ADC constitution.
Atiku hit back at what he called a misinformation campaign designed to damage the opposition's morale ahead of the elections. He dismissed suggestions that the judgment spelled the end of the ADC's presidential ticket as false.
"Those celebrating today should celebrate with caution," Atiku said through his spokesman. He warned political opponents against attempting to spread "false hope" to their supporters.
The ADC flagbearer drew a crucial legal distinction between internal party congresses and statutory primary elections conducted under electoral law. He noted these are "distinct legal exercises, governed by different legal principles and serving different constitutional purposes."
Atiku argued that courts can only rule on issues formally presented before them and cannot manufacture disputes or address matters never placed before them. He suggested opponents were misinterpreting the judgment's scope.
"Our opponents appear more eager to write judgements on social media than to read the one delivered by the Court of Appeal," Atiku said, emphasising that Nigeria operates under the rule of law, not political headlines.
He expressed confidence in the judicial process and instructed his legal team to file an appeal at the Supreme Court for a final determination of the issues raised by the judgment. This represents what he called "the proper constitutional path."
Atiku urged supporters of the ADC not to be discouraged by the court ruling. He framed the party's presidential ambitions as part of a broader movement seeking competent leadership and economic recovery for Nigeria.
"Let no supporter of the ADC lose sleep," he said, declaring that the struggle transcends any single courtroom decision.
