The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said its position on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election will be guided by the outcome of ongoing court proceedings over the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated this on Thursday while speaking at Chatham House in London, where he responded to a question on whether Atiku could contest the election if the court judgment affecting the ADC leadership was not overturned.
Amupitan said the commission was constitutionally bound to comply with court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, irrespective of their political implications.
“If he eventually fails, well, I’m obligated under Section 285 of the Constitution of Nigeria to obey every court order, especially if it is from the Supreme Court,” he said.
The INEC chairman, however, expressed concern over the growing number of pending court cases involving the commission as preparations for the 2027 general election intensify.
He disclosed that INEC was facing more than 300 pending cases, warning that prolonged litigation could complicate the commission’s preparations and logistics for the elections.
“Some of those issues we have with court cases, over 300 cases hanging on the neck of INEC, and elections is just about 66 days away,” he said.
Amupitan recalled that when the dispute over the ADC leadership emerged in April, INEC had advocated an accelerated hearing to ensure the matter was resolved within three weeks.
According to him, the commission believes pre-election disputes should be settled early enough to enable it to plan and execute its electoral responsibilities without uncertainty.
“When it happened in April, the position of the commission was that matter should be resolved within three weeks,” he said.
He explained that INEC had initially acted on a court directive to suspend further action and await the outcome of the legal process, but the dispute subsequently proceeded to the appeal stage.
Amupitan also renewed his call for reforms to Nigeria’s electoral dispute resolution process, proposing that pre-election cases should be concluded at least six months or one year before a general election.
“I had advocated in several fora that we pre-election matters should abate at least a year before the election, or let’s say six months, so that we can fix our logistics,” he said.
He noted that INEC had already commenced the procurement of sensitive election materials, stressing that unresolved legal disputes could create uncertainty in the commission’s planning and preparations.
The chairman further lamented that the commission often bears the brunt of public criticism when it implements court decisions, even when such actions are in compliance with legal directives.
“The danger is that whenever there is such decision, and it’s you to now implement, you become the problem. The problem now is transferred unto you,” he said.
The controversy follows a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the ADC faction led by former Senate President David Mark.
The ruling has raised questions about the status of the party’s leadership and the implications for Atiku’s political ambition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
However, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.