Appeal Court judgment clears ADC for 2027 polls, says Atiku’s camp

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has secured a crucial victory as the Court of Appeal nullified a Federal High Court decision that sought to deregister the party and four others. This ruling effectively clears the path for the ADC's participation in Nigeria's 2027 general elections, a development welcomed by the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

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With this Court of Appeal judgment validating the legal status of ADC plus the judgment of Hon. Justice Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, affirming the election of the Senator David Mark-led executive of ADC, the leading opposition party has finally navigated its way to the ballot for the 2027 general elections as there’s no suit pending that challenges its leadership again.

The Atiku Media Office described the judgment as a major boost for Nigeria's democracy, asserting that it has removed all legal obstacles hindering the ADC's presence on the ballot for the upcoming elections. The statement highlighted that this appellate court decision, combined with an earlier Federal High Court ruling affirming the leadership of Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee, has resolved all pending legal disputes concerning the party's status and leadership.

Praises were extended to the Court of Appeal justices for their "courage, fidelity to the Constitution and unwavering commitment to justice." The Atiku camp emphasized that the judiciary remains the "last hope of the common man and the ultimate guardian of constitutional democracy." The appellate court reportedly found the lower court's judgment to be a nullity because it was delivered despite a pre-existing order from the appellate court. Additionally, the court determined that the respondents lacked the legal standing to file the suit, deeming their claims speculative and legally unsustainable.

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We warmly welcome the landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal, which set aside the erroneous judgment of the Federal High Court that sought to remove the African Democratic Congress (and other political parties) from Nigeria’s democratic space.

The Court of Appeal also clarified the interpretation of Section 225A of the Constitution, ruling that the provision should be read disjunctively rather than conjunctively. Furthermore, the court indicated that the suit was premature, as the election cycles in Osun and Ekiti states were still ongoing when the case was initiated. The trial court was also faulted for ignoring an affidavit, underscoring procedural and substantive flaws in the initial deregistration attempt.

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We congratulate the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal for their courage, fidelity to the Constitution and unwavering commitment to justice. Their judgment is a reassuring affirmation that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and the ultimate guardian of constitutional democracy.