The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that it will comply with any court decision determining whether former Vice President Atiku Abubakar can contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission was constitutionally bound to obey court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, irrespective of public opinion.
Amupitan made this known on Thursday during a dialogue organised by Chatham House in London in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative.
The event, themed “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot,” focused on the country’s democratic process and preparations for the next general election.
Responding to a question on Atiku’s eligibility to contest under the ADC if the judgment nullifying the leadership of the faction led by former Senate President David Mark remained in force, the INEC chairman said the commission would respect the final judicial decision.
He stated that Section 285 of the Nigerian Constitution obligated the commission to comply with court orders, particularly those issued by the Supreme Court.
Amupitan also explained that INEC had advocated an accelerated hearing of the ADC leadership dispute when it emerged in April to prevent the crisis from disrupting preparations for the 2027 elections.
According to him, the commission had initially proposed that the matter be resolved within three weeks.
He disclosed that INEC subsequently complied with a court directive to suspend action and await the determination of the dispute, which later proceeded to the Court of Appeal.
The electoral chief, however, expressed concern over the increasing number of election-related cases involving the commission, revealing that more than 300 cases were currently pending against INEC with the 2027 elections approaching.
He said the growing litigation could complicate the commission’s preparations, particularly its logistical arrangements for the polls.
Amupitan further disclosed that INEC had commenced the procurement of sensitive election materials ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He called for reforms that would ensure pre-election disputes were concluded between six months and one year before elections, arguing that early resolution would give the commission adequate time to prepare.
The INEC chairman also acknowledged that the commission might face public backlash for implementing certain judicial decisions but insisted that it had no option but to obey valid court orders.
His comments come amid the lingering leadership crisis in the ADC, which has cast uncertainty over the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections and Atiku’s presidential ambition.
On November 5, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the ADC faction led by Mark, declaring the process that produced the former Senate President and other national officers unlawful.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, and other party officials.
The court also invalidated decisions taken by the disputed leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
It consequently restrained INEC from recognising or acting on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The crisis took another turn when the court rejected a disputed resignation letter allegedly written by Gombe, ruling that the document did not constitute reliable evidence of his voluntary resignation.
However, the ADC rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted that Gombe voluntarily resigned, maintaining that the party possessed the original letter bearing his signature.
