INEC to Follow Court Ruling on Atiku's 2027 Candidacy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), chaired by Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced that its stance on Atiku Abubakar's eligibility for the 2027 presidential election will depend on the outcome of current court proceedings regarding the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Amupitan emphasized that INEC is constitutionally obligated to comply with court orders, particularly those from the Supreme Court.

He expressed concern about the over 300 pending court cases facing INEC, warning that prolonged litigation could hinder preparations for the upcoming elections, which are only 66 days away. Amupitan recalled that INEC had previously called for an expedited resolution of the ADC leadership dispute, advocating for pre-election disputes to be settled well in advance of elections to facilitate planning.

He also reiterated the need for reforms in Nigeria's electoral dispute resolution process, suggesting that pre-election matters should be concluded at least six months to a year before elections.