Court Did Not Nullify ADC Primaries, Atiku Insists, Heads To Supreme Court

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed claims that the Court of Appeal nullified the party’s primary elections for the 2027 general elections, describing such reports as “misinformation” aimed at confusing Nigerians and weakening the opposition.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, urged ADC members and supporters across the country to remain calm and focused, insisting that the appellate court’s judgment did not affect the party’s presidential ticket.

According to him, the judgment being interpreted by critics relates only to the conduct of the party’s state congresses and the tenure of its State Executive Committees, and not to the statutory primary elections conducted under 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 vice president further argued that courts only determine issues placed before them and cannot make pronouncements on matters that were not part of the litigation.

“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 disclosed that his legal team had been directed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the apex court would provide a definitive interpretation of the issues arising from the appellate court’s decision.

“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 also called on ADC supporters not to be discouraged by the legal developments, maintaining that the party’s mission to provide alternative leadership for Nigeria remains on course.

“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.

“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,” Atiku said.