By MainFocus News

A lawyer and African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Enugu West, Barr. Ogochukwu Onyema, popularly known as Sir OAU Onyema, has expressed optimism that the Abuja Federal High Court judgement sacking former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and 470 other ADC candidates will not stand at the Court of Appeal.

Onyema said the judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the ADC, will be faulted when the matter gets to the Appeal Court.

It would be recalled that on November 5, 2026, Justice Lifu ruled in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC, that the process through which the Mark-led executive emerged was unlawful. The court also invalidated all actions taken by that leadership, including the nomination of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Atiku has since rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal, insisting that his campaign will continue.

INEC Speaks: “We Will Obey Final Court Decision”

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will abide by the final court decision on Atiku’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the ADC.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission was constitutionally obligated to comply with court orders, particularly decisions of the Supreme Court, irrespective of their political implications.

Speaking on Thursday at Chatham House in London, Amupitan said:
“If he eventually fails, well, I’m obligated under Section 285 of the Constitution of Nigeria to obey every court order, especially if it is from the Supreme Court.”
He added that Atiku will not be on the ballot in 2027 if he fails to overturn the court judgement nullifying the Mark-led ADC leadership.

ADC Confirms Receipt, Faults Timing

The Presidential Campaign Council of the ADC has confirmed receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement sacking the leadership of David Mark.

In a statement by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the party said Justice Lifu finally released the duly authenticated copy of his judgement on the final day of the seven-day period prescribed by the Constitution.

The party however raised concern over the timing, saying:
“But the timing of the release raises serious concern, especially as our party continues to face actions that obstruct its campaign and political consultations.”
The ADC said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has directed his legal team to study the ruling and take necessary legal action.

What Next?

As it stands now, the matter is heading to the Court of Appeal. While supporters of the judgement say the court was right, lawyers like Onyema believe the Appeal Court will see it differently.

MainFocus News will continue to follow the case and bring you updates as they unfold.