2027: Elections Must Be Decided by Voters, Not Courts — Atiku
By The Analyst Online Media
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that Nigeria's 2027 general election must be determined by the votes of citizens rather than courtroom litigation, following a Court of Appeal judgment that overturned an earlier Federal High Court ruling affecting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The appellate court's decision removed legal obstacles surrounding the ADC's leadership, allowing the party to focus on preparations for the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday through his media office in Abuja, Atiku congratulated the Justices of the Court of Appeal, describing the judgment as a victory for constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and judicial independence.
According to him, the ruling has strengthened public confidence in Nigeria's judiciary and reaffirmed the principle that political contests should be settled by the electorate.
"As the nation advances towards the 2027 general elections, political contests must be decided by the votes of Nigerians—not by contrived lawsuits seeking to achieve in the courtroom what cannot be won at the ballot box," Atiku stated.
He noted that the Court of Appeal's decision, together with an earlier Federal High Court judgment affirming the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee of the ADC, has effectively resolved litigation challenging the party's leadership.
The former Vice President said the appellate court held that the earlier judgment delivered by the lower court was a nullity because it was issued despite an existing order of the Court of Appeal. The court also reportedly ruled that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to institute the case and described their claims as speculative.
Atiku further stated that the appellate court found that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already confirmed the affected political parties complied with constitutional and statutory requirements, making additional conditions imposed by the lower court legally unjustifiable.
He argued that the judgment extends beyond the interests of any single political party, describing it as a significant affirmation of democratic principles and constitutional governance.
"The strength of democracy lies in allowing citizens to freely choose their leaders through the ballot, not by excluding political opponents through judicial processes," he said.
Atiku also cautioned against using the judiciary and other state institutions as instruments for political competition, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken Nigeria's constitutional order.
He commended the Court of Appeal for what he described as a courageous, impartial, and constitutionally grounded judgment, expressing optimism that the decision would reinforce the rule of law ahead of the 2027 general elections.