INEC Will Drop Atiku from 2027 Ballot If Court Ruling Stands – Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has said the commission will remove former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the 2027 presidential election ballot if he fails to successfully overturn a court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Amupitan made the statement during an interview at Chatham House in London. When asked whether Atiku would still participate in the election if the judgment against him is not reversed, the INEC chairman replied that he is obligated to obey every court order, especially one from the Supreme Court.“If he fails, I’m obligated to obey every court order, especially if it’s from the Supreme Court,” Amupitan said. 

He added that the danger of implementing such a decision is that the problem is transferred to the electoral body, but that remains the position of the law.

The INEC boss also lamented that the commission is currently handling more than 300 court cases with the 2027 general election just about 66 days away.The Federal High Court judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC under which Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.