2027: Atiku May Be Removed From 2027 Presidential Ballot If ADC Fails to Overturn Court Judgment — INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has said the commission may remove former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the 2027 presidential election ballot if he fails to overturn the court judgment nullifying David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Amupitan disclosed this during an interview at Chatham House in London, where he was asked whether Atiku would participate in the January 16, 2027 presidential election if the court judgment was not overturned.

Responding, the INEC chairman said the commission was obligated to obey court orders, particularly those issued by the Supreme Court.

“If he fails, I’m obligated to obey every court order, especially if it’s from the Supreme Court,” he said.

He further warned that implementing a court decision could put the electoral commission at the centre of the controversy, adding:

“The danger is that whether there is such a decision and it is up to you to implement, you become the problem. The problem is transferred to you, but that is the position of the law.”

Amupitan also lamented the number of legal disputes involving the commission barely two months before the 2027 general election.

“Over 300 court cases hanging on the neck of INEC, and the election is just about 66 days away,” he said.

Recall that a Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, nullified David Mark’s leadership of the ADC, under which Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.

The ruling has cast uncertainty over Atiku’s participation in the forthcoming election. However, the David Mark-led ADC leadership has vowed to challenge the judgment and pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that Atiku remains on the ballot.