INEC has not received ruling invalidating Atiku’s candidacy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Trust
Nigeria’s electoral commission INEC says it has not received a certified copy of the ruling invalidating candidates from the ADC primaries, including Atiku Abubakar. His name and that of his running mate Rotimi Amaechi were still listed on the electoral portal on Friday, according to Daily Trust.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it has not received a certified true copy of the Federal High Court ruling that annulled the leadership of the ADC headed by former Senate president David Mark. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, an INEC national commissioner and chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, told Daily Trust that the commission had not yet examined the decision.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Peter Lifu in Abuja, also annulled actions taken by the disputed ADC leadership, including the process that led to the selection of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election. Haruna said it could take about a week to obtain a certified copy of a ruling and that INEC could not act on a decision it had not officially received.
A check of the INEC portal by Daily Trust on Friday still showed the names of Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Rotimi Amaechi. INEC had already been approached after the ADC’s appeal against Atiku’s invalidation, announced on 5 November.
The clarification comes after the ruling issued on 5 November following an action brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, former ADC national vice-president for the North-East. The High Court found that the process leading to the installation of David Mark’s leadership did not comply with electoral law requirements concerning democratic elections.
