By Tekena Amieyeofori
Atiku Abubakar, ex- Vice President and candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 presidential election, has rejected reports claiming the Court of Appeal voided his party’s primary elections.
In a statement released on Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the reports as deliberate “misinformation” meant to mislead Nigerians and destabilise the opposition.
He urged ADC members and supporters nationwide to stay calm, noting that the appellate court’s ruling had no bearing on the party’s presidential ticket.
He explained that the judgment in question relates to the party’s state congresses and the tenure of State Executive Committees, and not the statutory primaries held in line with the Electoral Act.
“Those celebrating today should celebrate with caution. Those attempting to sell false hope to their supporters should remember that political propaganda can never substitute for judicial pronouncements.
“The judgment being celebrated relates to the conduct of state congresses and the tenure of State Executive Committees. It does not, from the facts available, amount to a judicial nullification of the ADC’s primary elections conducted under the Electoral Act.
“There is a world of legal difference between the election of party executives through internal congresses and the nomination of candidates through statutory primary elections. They are distinct legal exercises, governed by different legal principles and serving different constitutional purposes. One should not be confused with the other,” Atiku stated.
The former VP also noted that courts are limited to deciding only what is brought before them, and cannot rule on issues outside a case.
“It is a settled principle of law that courts determine only the issues submitted before them. They neither manufacture disputes nor pronounce on matters that were never placed before them. Any attempt to stretch this judgment beyond its proper scope is an invitation to legal absurdity.
“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 the fantasies of political opportunists,” he added.
Atiku said he has ordered his lawyers to take the matter to the Supreme Court for a final decision, adding that he has faith in the judicial process to clarify the issues.
“We remain respectful of the judiciary and have already instructed our legal team to approach the Supreme Court for a definitive determination of the issues arising from the judgment. That is the proper constitutional path, and we have absolute confidence in the judicial process,” he said.
He further encouraged ADC members not to be swayed by misinformation, stressing that the party’s goal of offering Nigerians an alternative remains intact.
“Let no supporter of the ADC lose sleep. Let no Nigerian who believes in the restoration of our country be discouraged. The struggle to rescue Nigeria has never been about one courtroom or one judgment. It is a movement born out of the collective desire of millions of Nigerians for competent leadership, economic recovery, national unity and the restoration of hope.
“We therefore urge our members across the federation to remain calm, united and focused. Stay committed to the mission. Continue mobilising. Continue organising. Continue believing. No amount of legal gymnastics or political spin can extinguish the legitimate aspirations of Nigerians for a better country,” Atiku said.