Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has urged party members and supporters to remain calm following what he described as misleading reports about the recent Court of Appeal judgment involving the party.
In a statement issued on Monday, Atiku said the appellate court did not nullify the ADC’s primary election or invalidate the party’s candidates, insisting that the party’s structures and activities remain intact.
According to Atiku, the Court of Appeal only granted a stay of execution of a Federal High Court judgment relating to the deregistration of the ADC and four other political parties pending the hearing and determination of the substantive appeal.
“The Court of Appeal did not nullify the ADC primaries. The judgement being circulated in some quarters is a deliberate misrepresentation of what transpired in Court,” Atiku said.
He added that the court’s decision should reassure members that the ADC remains a legally recognised political platform.
“I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the Federal High Court judgement seeking the deregistration of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” he stated.
Atiku described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy, saying it reaffirmed Nigerians’ right to freely associate and participate in the democratic process.
“This decision is a victory for democracy, the Rule of Law, and the Constitutional rights of Nigerians to freely associate and participate in the democratic process,” he said.
The former vice president maintained that no court had set aside the ADC presidential primary or invalidated the emergence of the party’s candidates.
“Our party remains firmly on course.
”The ADC remains a lawful political party, and no judgment has nullified its primaries or its candidates,” Atiku said.
He thanked ADC members, coalition partners and supporters for their continued commitment despite the legal challenges facing the party, urging them not to be distracted by what he described as misinformation.
“I urge all our members and supporters to remain calm, resolute and focused. Do not be distracted by misinformation or the antics of those who seek to undermine our democratic journey,” he stated.
Atiku expressed confidence that the judiciary would uphold justice when the substantive appeal is eventually determined, adding that the party would continue to strengthen its structures and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Together, we shall continue to defend democracy, protect the will of the people and build a better Nigeria for all,” he said.
The clarification followed public reactions to the Court of Appeal decision, after some reports suggested that the judgment affected the validity of ADC’s primary election.
Atiku insisted that the matter before the appellate court was limited to the enforcement of the Federal High Court’s deregistration order, which has now been suspended pending the final determination of the appeal.
