The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why it has not altered the status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on its official platform despite a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the leadership structure headed by former Senate President David Mark.
The commission maintained that it was yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment and had consequently not commenced any formal consideration of the legal implications for the opposition party, particularly concerning its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The clarification comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the ADC following reports that INEC had removed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, from its portal as the party’s presidential ticket holders.
However, findings on the commission’s website on Friday indicated that both politicians were still recognised on the platform as the ADC’s presidential candidate and running mate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, dismissed suggestions that the electoral body had already implemented changes arising from the court’s decision.
Haruna questioned the source of the information concerning the alleged removal of the two politicians, insisting that the commission could not take administrative steps based on a judgment it had not officially obtained.
“I don’t know where that statement came from. Somebody just forwarded it to me. We haven’t received the judgment yet,” he said.
He further explained that obtaining certified copies of court decisions involves an administrative process that may take several days.
Drawing from the experience of election tribunals, the commissioner noted that securing such documents could take approximately one week.
His explanation indicates that INEC is yet to establish the precise legal implications of the ruling and has not announced any decision regarding the ADC’s leadership or the candidates associated with the disputed structure.
The development follows Thursday’s judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which invalidated the leadership of the ADC under David Mark and set aside decisions taken by the disputed leadership.
Among the affected decisions were arrangements connected to the emergence of candidates under the party’s leadership for the 2027 general elections.
The legal battle originated from a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC representing the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark emerged as the party’s leader.
Bala had questioned the legitimacy of the leadership arrangement, arguing that the process leading to Mark’s emergence did not comply with the applicable legal and party requirements.
After considering the matter, Justice Lifu ruled that the process through which the disputed leadership emerged was inconsistent with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
The court consequently nullified the leadership structure and invalidated actions taken under its authority, including decisions relating to the party’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.
The judgment has introduced another complication into the ADC’s political activities at a time when opposition figures are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
The party, however, has refused to accept the court’s decision as the end of the matter, announcing plans to challenge the ruling through the appellate judicial process.
In its response, the ADC disclosed that it had filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgment while preparing to pursue an appeal against the decision.
The party also confirmed that INEC had been formally notified of its intention to appeal and the application seeking to suspend the implementation of the judgment pending the determination of the legal challenge.
It urged the electoral commission to exercise caution and refrain from taking steps that could affect the party’s political arrangements while the dispute remains before the courts.
The ADC’s position is that the ongoing legal process should be allowed to run its course without administrative actions that might complicate the situation or prejudice the interests of the party.
Atiku Abubakar has also rejected the judgment, maintaining that the ruling would not bring his presidential ambition to an end.
The former vice-president expressed his determination to challenge the decision through the appropriate legal channels, insisting that his political aspiration remains intact despite the uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership.
His reaction is significant because the court’s decision affects the leadership structure under which the ADC’s candidates were produced, raising questions about the status of the party’s existing political arrangements.
Nevertheless, INEC has made it clear that it has not reached any conclusion on the matter. The commission’s position is that it must first obtain the certified judgment before examining what actions, if any, are required under the law.
For now, Atiku and Amaechi remain listed on the electoral commission’s portal as the ADC’s presidential candidate and running mate for the 2027 elections.
The situation is expected to become clearer following INEC’s receipt and review of the court documents, alongside further developments in the ADC’s planned appeal.
Until then, the leadership dispute remains unresolved, with the party pursuing legal remedies and the electoral commission maintaining that it has not taken any decision to remove or replace the politicians on its official platform.
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