ADC remains on ballot, Atiku may be excluded, says Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will participate in the 2027 general elections.

He, however, stated that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other candidates from the David Mark-led faction may not appear on the ballot.

The controversy follows a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The ruling nullified the David Mark-led caretaker committee, invalidating all its decisions, including the primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential flagbearer.

Keyamo, reacting to the development via his official X handle on Sunday, dismissed claims that the party itself had been disqualified, describing such narratives as public misinformation.

“For the education of the public, those raising false alarm that the court judgment on ADC means the Party will not be on the ballot are spreading MISINFORMATION. The ADC WILL BE ON THE BALLOT. It is the David Mark faction of candidates, including ATIKU ABUBAKAR that MAY NOT be on the ballot (depending on the final judgment of the Supreme Court).”

Keyamo questioned why candidates who successfully secured their tickets under the faction he described as the original owners of the ADC should be denied the opportunity to contest the forthcoming elections.

This reiterates Keyamo’s statement on Friday, where he declared that heavens will not fall if the former Vice-President is excluded from the 2027 presidential race.

He urged political actors to respect judicial decisions rather than attack judges when rulings do not favour their personal interests.

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar has rejected the implications of the ruling, insisting that nothing will prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election. He stated that Nigerians must be allowed to decide their political future through the ballot box. The national leadership of the ADC has also rejected the court judgment and revealed plans to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.