2027: INEC Chairman sends strong message to Atiku amid candidacy uncertainty
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has sent a strong message to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his participation in the 2027 presidential election, declaring that the commission will obey any binding court judgment affecting his candidacy.
Amupitan made the declaration on Thursday while speaking at Chatham House in London, amid uncertainty surrounding Atiku’s presidential ambition following the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The INEC chairman was responding to a question on whether the former vice-president would be permitted to contest the election if he failed to overturn the judgment affecting the party’s leadership.
He maintained that the electoral commission had a constitutional responsibility to enforce court decisions, irrespective of the political consequences.
“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,” Amupitan declared.
His comments come amid a legal battle over the leadership of the ADC, which has raised questions about Atiku’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on November 5, invalidated the emergence of the ADC National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.
The court also declared all actions, decisions and steps taken by the affected leadership from July 29, 2025, null and void.
The sweeping judgment has triggered conflicting interpretations of its implications for Atiku’s presidential ambition.
However, the ADC has rejected suggestions that the ruling automatically disqualified the former vice-president, insisting that his name was not expressly mentioned in the court’s final orders.
The party has challenged the judgment at the Court of Appeal and sought a stay of execution.