Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said Nigeria’s 2027 general election should be decided by voters at the ballot box rather than through litigation, following the Court of Appeal’s decision overturning a Federal High Court judgment that sought to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties.
The appellate court’s ruling effectively clears the legal hurdles confronting the ADC and enables the party to concentrate on preparations for the 2027 elections without the distraction of protracted court battles.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media office in Abuja, Atiku hailed the Court of Appeal justices for what he described as their courage, commitment to constitutional principles and dedication to justice.
He said the judgment had reinforced public confidence in the judiciary while strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“As the nation advances towards the 2027 general elections, political contests must be decided by the votes of Nigerians—not by contrived lawsuits seeking to achieve in the courtroom what cannot be won at the ballot box,” Atiku stated.
According to him, the appellate court’s decision, coupled with an earlier judgment by Justice Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the ADC, has effectively resolved all legal disputes surrounding the party’s leadership ahead of the next general election.
He said the development firmly establishes the ADC’s legal status and eligibility to participate in the 2027 polls.
The statement noted that the Court of Appeal declared the June 15 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu a nullity on the grounds that it was issued despite a subsisting order of the appellate court directing a stay of proceedings.
Credit: channelstv.com
