The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has stated that the commission will comply with the court’s ruling on whether former Vice President Atiku Abubakar can run in the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress.
Amupitan stated that INEC is constitutionally bound to comply with court orders, especially those from the Supreme Court, no matter how the public reacts to such decisions.
He made the remarks on Thursday at a dialogue held at Chatham House in London, in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative, under the theme “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot.”
Asked whether Atiku could run on the ADC platform if the court ruling nullifying the leadership of the faction led by former Senate President David Mark remained in effect, Amupitan replied, “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.”
The INEC chairman said the commission had sought an accelerated hearing when the ADC leadership dispute arose in April, in order to prevent complications in preparations for the 2027 elections.
“When it happened in April, the commission’s position was that the matter should be resolved within three weeks,” he said.
He explained that INEC had complied with a court directive to suspend action and wait for the outcome of the case, which was later appealed.
Amupitan, however, bemoaned the rising volume of election-related litigation, noting that the commission had more than 300 pending cases against it as the 2027 elections draw near.
“Some of those issues we have with court cases, over 300 cases hanging on the neck of INEC, and elections are just about 66 days away,” he said.
He revealed that the commission had begun procuring sensitive election materials for the 2027 polls, and he called for reforms to ensure that pre-election disputes are resolved six months to one year before voting.
According to him, settling such disputes early would give INEC enough time to finalize its logistical arrangements.
Amupitan also conceded that the commission could draw public criticism for carrying out court decisions, even though it is legally obliged to obey them.
These remarks come amid the prolonged leadership crisis in the ADC, which has left the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections in uncertainty.
On November 5, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, annulled the ADC leadership headed by Mark, ruling that the process that produced the former Senate President and other national officers was unlawful.
The judgment stemmed from a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, who contested the emergence of the Mark-led leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu and other party officials.
The court also voided decisions made by the Mark-led leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
It therefore barred INEC from recognizing or acting on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Chronicle NG reports that the crisis deepened following another ruling by the court rejecting a disputed resignation letter allegedly written by Gombe. The development further complicated the battle over the party’s leadership.
The ADC has dismissed the judgment and pledged to contest it before the Court of Appeal.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, insisted that Gombe stepped down willingly, claiming the party holds the original copy of the letter bearing his signature.
Justice Lifu, however, held that the document was not reliable proof that Gombe resigned voluntarily.
The legal dispute has prompted questions regarding the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structure and the nominations carried out under the Mark-led executive in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
