2027: INEC will obey court decision on Atiku’s eligibility – Amupitan
INEC Chairman Says Court Decision Will Determine Atiku’s Eligibility for 2027 Election
LONDON — The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated Thursday that the commission will adhere to any court rulings regarding the eligibility of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Amupitan made the remarks during a speech at Chatham House in response to inquiries about Atiku’s candidacy, especially in light of a court decision concerning the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He emphasized his responsibility to follow judicial decisions, particularly those issued by the Supreme Court.
“If he eventually fails, I am obligated under Section 285 of the Constitution of Nigeria to obey every court order, especially if it is from the Supreme Court,” Amupitan said.
He expressed alarm over the substantial number of legal challenges currently facing INEC as it prepares for the upcoming elections in 2027. The chairman noted that there are more than 300 pending cases against the commission, with the election roughly 66 days away from the time of the earlier dispute he referenced.
“Some of those issues we have with court cases, over 300 cases hanging on the neck of INEC, and elections are just about 66 days away,” he said.
Amupitan indicated that INEC had previously supported an expedited hearing of the ADC leadership crisis, arguing that timely resolution of pre-election matters is crucial to allow the commission to effectively organize its logistics. “When it happened in April, the position of the commission was that the matter should be resolved within three weeks,” he said.
He reminded that INEC acted according to a court directive to halt its activities pending the resolution of the legal proceedings, but highlighted that the issue eventually escalated to an appeal.
The chairman also called for reforms aimed at preventing pre-election disputes from hindering election preparations. He proposed that such legal cases should cease at least six months — or ideally one year — prior to an election.
“I have advocated in several forums that pre-election matters should abate at least a year before the election, or let’s say six months, so that we can fix our logistics,” he noted.
Amupitan revealed that INEC has started procuring sensitive election materials, making the resolution of outstanding legal disputes a pressing concern. He warned that acting on court decisions could place the commission under public scrutiny, even when it is merely fulfilling legal obligations.
“The danger is that whenever there is such a decision, if it falls to you to implement, you become the problem. The problem now is transferred unto you,” he explained.
The Federal High Court recently nullified the ADC leadership faction led by former Senate President David Mark, casting doubt on the legitimacy of Atiku’s position as the party’s presidential candidate. The ADC has announced plans to contest this ruling at the Court of Appeal.
