Court didn’t nullify Atiku’s candidacy, ADC lawyer insists

Kalu Kalu, legal representative for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has clarified that the recent Federal High Court judgment nullifying David Mark's leadership of the party does not invalidate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar's candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. Kalu stated that the ruling by Justice Peter Lifu did not explicitly void Atiku's nomination or the candidacies of other party members.

He argued that some Nigerians were drawing conclusions from the judgment that were not present in its orders. The lawyer attributed the controversy to misinterpretations circulating on social media, emphasizing that the public had attributed decisions to the court that were not explicitly stated in the judgment. The controversy stemmed from a November 5 judgment challenging the emergence of Mark-led leadership after the resignation of other party executives.

The court nullified the actions of Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others from July 29, 2025, and restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or dealing with them. The decision has left the ADC's leadership and its candidates for the 2027 elections, particularly Atiku, in a state of uncertainty.