INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan has declared that the commission will respect court decisions on Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The electoral body also revealed that it is handling more than 300 pending court cases ahead of the next general elections.
Amupitan made the disclosure at Chatham House in London as the ADC prepares to challenge a court judgment affecting its leadership.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will abide by court decisions on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known on Thursday, November 12, while speaking at Chatham House in London. His comments come amid the ongoing legal battle over the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party linked to Atiku’s political ambitions.
Amupitan speaks on Atiku’s eligibility for 2027
During the discussion, Amupitan was asked whether Atiku would remain eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election if he failed to overturn the court judgment affecting the ADC leadership.
In response, the INEC chairman explained that the commission could not ignore decisions made by the courts, regardless of the political consequences.
He stressed that INEC has a constitutional responsibility to obey judicial pronouncements, particularly those delivered by the Supreme Court.
His position suggests that the electoral body will rely on the final decisions of the courts when dealing with questions surrounding candidates and political parties ahead of the next election.
“The commission was constitutionally obligated to obey court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court.”
INEC raises concern over 300 pending court cases
Beyond Atiku’s eligibility, Amupitan disclosed that INEC is currently dealing with more than 300 pending court cases.
He expressed concern that the growing number of legal disputes could create difficulties for the commission as it prepares for the 2027 general elections
According to him, prolonged court proceedings could affect the electoral body’s ability to organise the polls effectively.
The INEC chairman therefore called for changes to the country’s electoral dispute resolution process.
He proposed that pre-election cases should be concluded at least six months or one year before an election. This, he explained, would give INEC enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
ADC prepares to challenge court judgment
Meanwhile, the ADC has indicated its intention to appeal the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the party.
The party plans to take the matter to the Court of Appeal in an attempt to overturn the ruling.
The development is significant because the outcome of the legal battle could have implications for the party’s leadership and political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained why he is challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The governor identified economic hardship, national disunity and the handling of petrol subsidy removal among his major concerns.
Makinde made his position known in a newsletter published on Thursday, November 12, after previously supporting Tinubu’s emergence in 2023.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has opened up on why he wants to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, despite supporting his emergence as president three years ago
Makinde, who is contesting under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), identified four major concerns about Tinubu’s administration, including economic hardship, national unity and the handling of major economic reforms.
Why Makinde is challenging Tinubu in 2027
In a newsletter released on Thursday, November 12, Makinde explained that his decision to contest against Tinubu was not driven by personal differences or an ambition to occupy Aso Rock.
He recalled supporting Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election because he believed the president had the political experience and connections needed to bring Nigerians together and establish a government focused on competence. Continue reading here.
New to NewsFlashNGR? Follow us for breaking global and African news.
