INEC to examine Atiku's 2027 candidacy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Vanguard
Nigeria's electoral commission INEC is due to examine next week the implications of the judgment cancelling the ADC leadership led by David Mark, notably former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar's presidential candidacy for 2027. INEC is awaiting a certified copy of the judgment before taking a position, commissioner Mohammed Haruna said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (INEC) is due to examine next week the implications of a judgment that annulled the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark, notably the validity of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar's candidacy for the 2027 presidential election. Mohammed Haruna, INEC national commissioner in charge of information and voter education, said on Sunday that the commission was awaiting a certified copy of the judgment before taking a position, Vanguard reports.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday annulled the interim committee led by David Mark as well as decisions taken under its authority, including the ADC presidential primary that selected Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for 2027. Judge Peter Lifu found that the establishment of this leadership contravened the ADC's constitution, certain provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution, according to Vanguard.
Mohammed Haruna said INEC would not base its decision on press reports and would comply with any new court order. If David Mark's faction appeals, a stay of execution of the judgment would also be taken into account by the commission, he added, according to Vanguard.
The expected INEC decision comes after several legal episodes concerning Atiku Abubakar's candidacy, including its invalidation by a Nigerian court on 5 November and the announcement on 6 November that his candidacy would stand. INEC had also said on 6 November that it had not received the judgment invalidating his candidacy, according to previous reports.
