The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the commission will comply with any court ruling on whether former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar can contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.

Mr Amupitan said INEC was constitutionally bound to obey court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, regardless of the public reaction or political implications.

He spoke on Thursday during a dialogue at Chatham House in London, organised in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative, with the theme, “Nigeria’s 2027 Elections: Democratic Trajectory and Regional Stability Beyond the Ballot.”

Responding to a question on Mr Atiku’s eligibility to contest under the ADC if the judgment against the party’s David Mark-led leadership remained in force, Amupitan said the commission would respect the court’s final decision.

“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.

INEC raises concerns over pending court cases

The INEC chairman said the commission had called for an accelerated hearing when the ADC leadership dispute emerged in April to prevent the matter from disrupting preparations for the 2027 elections.

He explained that the commission had proposed that the dispute be resolved within three weeks.

Mr Amupitan added that INEC had complied with a court directive to suspend action and await the outcome of the case, which has since proceeded to the appeal stage.

He, however, expressed concern over the growing number of election-related cases involving the commission, disclosing that more than 300 cases were pending against INEC with about 66 days remaining before the elections.

He said the commission had commenced procurement of sensitive election materials but stressed the need for reforms to ensure that pre-election disputes were resolved six months to one year before voting.

According to him, early resolution of such cases would give the commission sufficient time to concentrate on logistical arrangements.

Mr Amupitan also acknowledged that INEC could face public criticism for implementing court decisions, despite being legally required to obey them.

Court nullifies Mark-led ADC leadership

The comments come amid the leadership crisis rocking the ADC following a 5 November judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Peter Lifu nullified the emergence of the party’s leadership led by former Senate President David Mark, declaring the process through which the national officers emerged unlawful.

The court also invalidated decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the process that produced Mr Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

The judgment followed a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership after the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, and other party officials.

The court also restrained INEC from recognising or acting on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on 27 July 2025.

ADC rejects judgment, files appeal

The ADC has rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, maintained that Gombe voluntarily resigned from his position, insisting that the party had the original copy of his resignation letter bearing his signature.

However, Justice Lifu ruled that the disputed document did not constitute reliable evidence of Gombe’s voluntary resignation.

The ruling has created uncertainty over the party’s leadership structure and the validity of candidates nominated under the Mark-led executive ahead of the 2027 general elections.