The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has clarified that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will participate in the 2027 general elections, despite the ongoing leadership crisis threatening the validity of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential candidacy.
Keyamo made the clarification in a post on his official X handle on Sunday, dismissing speculation that recent court rulings had effectively barred the ADC from appearing on the ballot.
He explained that although the court nullified the leadership structure led by David Mark, the decision does not prevent the party itself from participating in the forthcoming elections. However, he warned that candidates who emerged under the Mark-led faction, including Atiku Abubakar, could be affected by the final judgment of the Supreme Court.
“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,” Keyamo stated.
“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 controversy follows a Federal High Court ruling delivered in Abuja on Thursday, which nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC and invalidated major decisions taken by the faction, including the presidential primary through which Atiku secured the party’s ticket for the 2027 presidential election.
Explaining the implications of the ruling, Keyamo also questioned why candidates who emerged through the party’s originally recognised leadership structure should be sidelined in favour of those produced under the disputed Mark-led faction.
Meanwhile, key figures within the ADC and Atiku Abubakar’s political camp have rejected the court’s decision, describing it as unacceptable and indicating plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The legal battle has further heightened uncertainty surrounding the ADC’s leadership and its choice of presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
