Atiku Challenges Appeal Court Decision On ADC Primaries At Supreme Court.

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed reports suggesting that the Court of Appeal nullified the party's primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the judgment has been widely misrepresented.

In a statement issued on Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the reports as misleading and aimed at creating confusion among Nigerians while undermining the opposition.

He clarified that the appellate court's ruling was limited to issues surrounding the conduct of the ADC's state congresses and the tenure of its State Executive Committees, stressing that it had no bearing on the party's statutory primary elections conducted under the Electoral Act.

According to Atiku, there is a clear legal distinction between the election of party executives through internal congresses and the nomination of candidates through party primaries, noting that both processes are governed by separate legal principles.

He argued that those celebrating the judgment were misinterpreting its scope, warning that political narratives cannot replace the actual contents of a court decision.

"The judgment concerns state congresses and State Executive Committees. It does not amount to a judicial nullification of the ADC's primary elections," he said.

The former vice president also maintained that courts can only decide matters formally brought before them, adding that extending the judgment to issues not litigated would amount to a misapplication of the law.

He accused political opponents of relying on social media narratives instead of the court's actual pronouncement, insisting that Nigeria remains governed by the rule of law rather than political propaganda.

Atiku disclosed that his legal team has been instructed to challenge the Appeal Court's decision before the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the apex court would provide a definitive interpretation of the legal issues involved.

While reaffirming his respect for the judiciary, he urged ADC members and supporters across the country to remain united and committed to the party's objective of offering Nigerians an alternative leadership in 2027.

He encouraged party faithful not to be discouraged by the legal dispute, insisting that the movement to "rescue Nigeria" remains intact and that no amount of political maneuvering would derail the party's aspirations ahead of the next general election.