The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the commission will comply with any court decision on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Amupitan stated this on Thursday during a dialogue organised by Chatham House in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative in London. The discussion focused on Nigeria’s 2027 elections, democratic development and regional stability.
Responding to a question about Atiku’s candidacy amid the ADC leadership dispute, the INEC chairman said the commission was constitutionally required to obey court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court. He added that INEC had sought an accelerated hearing when the dispute emerged in April to prevent complications ahead of the election.
Amupitan said the commission had complied with a court directive to suspend action and await the outcome of the case, which was subsequently taken to appeal. He also disclosed that INEC had more than 300 election-related cases pending, with preparations for the 2027 polls underway.
He said procurement of sensitive election materials had commenced and called for reforms to ensure pre-election disputes were resolved six months to one year before voting. According to him, early resolution would give the commission enough time to complete its logistical preparations.
The comments follow a November 5 judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC faction led by former Senate President David Mark. The court also invalidated decisions taken by the faction, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate, and restrained INEC from recognising decisions of its July 27, 2025 National Executive Committee meeting.
The suit was filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership. The ADC has rejected the judgment and vowed to appeal, while its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that Gombe voluntarily resigned. The court, however, ruled that the disputed resignation letter did not provide reliable evidence of his voluntary resignation.
