Atiku speaks after Appeal Court nullifies ADC deregistration

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to cancel the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Atiku Media Office, the former presidential candidate praised the Appeal Court justices for upholding the Constitution and protecting democracy.
According to Atiku, the judgment shows that the judiciary remains the last hope of ordinary Nigerians and a strong defender of constitutional democracy.

He said the Appeal Court correctly ruled that the June 15 judgment by the Federal High Court was invalid because it was delivered despite an existing Appeal Court order. The court also ruled that those who filed the case had no legal right to do so because their claims were based on speculation.

The Appeal Court further explained that Section 225A of the Constitution should be interpreted separately and not together. It also held that the case was filed too early because the Osun and Ekiti election processes were still ongoing.

Atiku noted that the court also found that the Federal High Court ignored evidence from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which confirmed that the ADC and the other affected political parties had met all legal and constitutional requirements.

He said once the lower court accepted INEC’s evidence, it had no legal basis to create additional conditions before reaching its decision.

The former vice president added that, with the Appeal Court’s ruling confirming the ADC’s legal status and another Federal High Court judgment recognising the Senator David Mark-led executive, the party is now free to participate in the 2027 general election without any pending legal challenge to its leadership.

Atiku described the ruling as more than just a victory for the ADC, saying it was also a victory for democracy and for Nigerians who believe political competition should be decided through elections, not court cases.

He warned against using the judiciary or government institutions to weaken political opponents, stressing that elections should be decided by voters rather than lawsuits.

The Atiku Media Office thanked the Appeal Court justices for what it described as a fair and courageous judgment, saying the decision has strengthened public confidence in the rule of law and the country’s democratic system.

The statement concluded by expressing confidence that truth, justice and the will of the Nigerian people would continue to prevail.