Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims that the Court of Appeal nullified the party’s primary elections, insisting that the judgment has no bearing on the nomination of ADC candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described reports suggesting that the appellate court voided the party’s presidential ticket as false, misleading and politically motivated.
He explained that the Court of Appeal’s decision dealt only with the conduct of the ADC’s ward, local government and state congresses for the election of party executives, and not the statutory primaries conducted under the Electoral Act to nominate candidates.
According to him, party congresses and primary elections are distinct legal processes governed by different laws and should not be confused.
“The judgment being celebrated relates to the conduct of state congresses and the tenure of State Executive Committees. It does not amount to a judicial nullification of the ADC’s primary elections conducted under the Electoral Act,” the statement said.
The former Vice President argued that courts are restricted to deciding only the issues brought before them, stressing that interpreting the ruling as cancelling the party’s primaries amounts to a deliberate distortion of the law.
He accused political opponents of spreading false narratives to weaken the opposition and mislead Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our opponents appear more eager to write judgments on social media than to read the one delivered by the Court of Appeal. Nigeria is governed by the rule of law, not by headlines, hashtags or political propaganda,” Atiku stated.
He disclosed that the ADC had already directed its legal team to challenge the appellate court’s judgment at the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the apex court would give a final interpretation of the issues in dispute.
Atiku urged party members and supporters to remain calm, united and focused on the party’s mission of offering Nigerians what he described as a credible alternative.
He also encouraged ADC faithful to continue mobilising support nationwide, insisting that no legal challenge or political campaign would derail the party’s preparations for the 2027 polls.
“The road to 2027 remains open, and the resolve of the Nigerian people cannot be overturned by propaganda. Our destination remains unchanged,” the statement added.
