The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has said the African Democratic Congress will participate in the 2027 general elections. But candidates nominated by the David Mark-led faction, including Atiku Abubakar, could face disqualification. Keyamo spoke on 8 November. He said their eligibility would depend on the final resolution of the party’s leadership dispute by the Supreme Court. His comments followed a Federal High Court ruling on 5 November. The court nullified the Mark-led leadership and its decisions, including Atiku’s presidential nomination. The judgment arose from a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Gombe. He challenged the faction’s legitimacy.
The ADC has been in leadership crisis since its formation. Atiku joined the party after leaving the PDP. The current dispute centres on whether the David Mark-led caretaker committee had the authority to conduct primaries. The court said it did not. The case mirrors earlier disputes in the Labour Party and PDP. Each cycle produces conflicting rulings. The Supreme Court has been drawn in before. The 2027 election is in January.
The ADC has vowed to appeal. INEC said it would review the certified judgment before taking a position. Keyamo’s intervention is political. He is a senior APC figure. His prediction of disqualification is aimed at undermining the opposition. The ADC has not commented on his remarks. Atiku’s campaign has not issued a statement.
The legal position is uncertain. The High Court ruling is binding until set aside. The Court of Appeal will hear the case. The Supreme Court will decide. If the ruling stands, Atiku’s candidacy is nullified. If it is overturned, he remains on the ballot. The outcome depends on the courts.
Winners: The APC, which benefits from opposition chaos. Keyamo, who gains a platform. The plaintiffs, who won at the High Court. Losers: Atiku, whose candidacy is contested. The ADC, which faces uncertainty. Voters, who face confusion. The electoral process, which suffers another disruption.
Bottom Line: A court nullified a party’s leadership. The minister says the candidate may be disqualified. The appeal will decide. The election is in January. Uncertainty is the only certainty.