ADC Will Be on 2027 Ballot, but Atiku’s Candidacy Uncertain — Keyamo
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has clarified that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will participate in the 2027 general elections, but candidates produced by the David Mark-led faction, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, may not appear on the ballot.
Keyamo made the statement in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, dismissing as misinformation claims that a recent Federal High Court judgment would prevent the ADC from fielding candidates.
“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),” he wrote.
The minister’s comments followed a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court nullified the David Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC and invalidated decisions taken by the committee, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
Keyamo argued that the ruling should not be interpreted as disqualifying the entire party.
He questioned why candidates who emerged through the faction he described as the “original owners” of the ADC should be treated as lesser than those from the Mark faction.
“Therefore, the question we must ask those raising hell is that, are those Nigerians who successfully won their Primaries under the faction of the original owners of the ADC lesser humans or lesser Nigerians than David Mark and Atiku Abubakar?” he added.
In earlier remarks, Keyamo had also stated that “Heavens WILL NOT FALL IF A CERTAIN ATIKU ABUBAKAR IS NOT ON THE BALLOT IN 2027.”
The ADC has rejected the Federal High Court judgment and indicated it will appeal.
The party has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal and applied for a stay of execution pending the determination of the case.
The final of the candidates produced by the Mark-led faction, including Atiku, now depends on the final outcome at the Supreme Court.
Atiku has insisted that nothing will prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
