Atiku Heads to Supreme Court, Says ADC Presidential Ticket Remains Valid

African Democratic Congress (ADC), presindential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has said his legal team will approach the Supreme Court for a definitive interpretation of issues arising from a recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the ruling does not affect his presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku made the position known on Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who addressed journalists in Abuja.

He urged ADC members and supporters as well as Nigerians seeking political change to remain calm, describing the Supreme Court appeal as the appropriate constitutional step to resolve the legal issues surrounding the judgment.

Atiku maintained that contrary to claims being circulated by some political actors, the Court of Appeal did not invalidate the ADC’s primary elections conducted to nominate candidates for the 2027 elections.

"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," he said.

The former vice-president explained that the appellate court decision centred on the conduct of state congresses and the tenure of state executive committees of the party, arguing that it did not amount to the cancellation of ADC primary elections held under the provisions of the Electoral Act.

According to him, the election of party executives through internal congresses and the nomination of candidates through statutory primaries are separate legal processes governed by different rules.

"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 said.

He argued that courts determine only the matters presented before them and warned against interpreting the judgment beyond the issues considered by the appellate court.

Atiku also criticised what he described as attempts by opponents to create misleading narratives around the ruling, saying legal matters should be interpreted through judicial pronouncements rather than political commentary.

He said the ADC remained committed to the rule of law and expressed confidence in the judiciary, adding that seeking clarification from the Supreme Court was the proper constitutional route.

"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," he said.

"The road to 2027 remains open, and the resolve of the Nigerian people cannot be overturned by propaganda. Our destination remains unchanged, and by the grace of God and the will of the Nigerian people, we shall arrive."

The Court of Appeal had earlier restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or participating in state congresses organised by committees established by the Senator David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC.

The appellate court upheld an earlier Federal High Court decision restricting the caretaker leadership from conducting state congresses and interfering with elected state executives of the party.

The judgment has triggered fresh legal and political debates over its implications for the ADC’s internal structures and preparations for the 2027 general elections.