The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) remains eligible to participate in the 2027 general elections despite the recent Federal High Court judgment nullifying its David Mark-led leadership.
However, Keyamo warned that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and other candidates who emerged under the Mark-led faction might not appear on the ballot, depending on the final decision of the Supreme Court.
The minister made this known in a post on his 𝕏 account on Sunday while responding to concerns that the court ruling could prevent the opposition party from participating in the forthcoming elections.
The controversy followed Thursday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the leadership structure headed by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by the faction.
Among the decisions affected was the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the ADC’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The party has since indicated its intention to challenge the ruling at the appellate court.
Reacting to the development, Keyamo dismissed suggestions that the judgment automatically disqualified the ADC from participating in the next general elections.
“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,” he wrote.
He maintained that the party could still field candidates in 2027, but stressed that the status of those nominated under the David Mark-led leadership would depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal battle.
“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,” the minister stated.
Keyamo also questioned the protests and criticism trailing the court’s decision, arguing that the judgment should not be viewed as an attempt to deny the ADC its opportunity to participate in the elections.
He challenged those opposing the ruling to consider the interests of party members who reportedly secured their nominations under the original leadership structure before the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee.
“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 asked.
The minister’s comments come amid growing uncertainty over the ADC’s leadership and its preparations for the 2027 elections, with the party’s planned appeal expected to play a significant role in determining which faction retains control and whose candidates may eventually contest under its platform.
