INEC Gives Reason Atiku, Amaechi Remain on 2027 Presidential Candidates’ List

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has explained why the names of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Chibuike Amaechi, remain on its portal as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidates for the 2027 presidential election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission had yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the ADC faction led by former Senate President David Mark.

Amupitan made this known on Monday during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The court had nullified the process that produced Mark as the ADC National Chairman, as well as the emergence of Rauf Aregbesola as the party’s National Secretary.

The judgment also invalidated the party’s primary election that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Justice Peter Odo Lifu, who delivered the ruling, further directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

However, explaining why Atiku and Amaechi’s names were still on the commission’s portal, Amupitan said INEC could not act on information obtained from social media.

He said, “We have not received the Certified True Copy of the ruling.”

The INEC chairman added, “We do not carry out action based on what we see on social media.”