The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is yet to receive the Certified True Copy of the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the nomination of candidates produced through its primaries.

The commission’s clarification comes amid reports circulating on social media that it had removed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC presidential candidate, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, from its portal.

However, a check on INEC’s portal on Friday showed that both names were still listed.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission had neither received the judgment nor discussed the matter.

“I don’t know where that statement came from. Somebody just forwarded it to me. We haven’t received the judgment yet,” Haruna said.

INEC Awaits Certified Judgment

Haruna explained that obtaining a Certified True Copy of a court judgment takes time, adding that the commission could not act on a decision it had not officially received.

“Usually, it takes about a week for you to get a CTC of the tribunal,” he said.

He also stated that INEC had not met to deliberate on the judgment, stressing that the commission’s position remained guided by the existing judicial process.

Court Nullifies ADC Leadership

The clarification followed Thursday’s judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark.

The court also invalidated actions taken by the disputed leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The ruling followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman, North-East, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.

The court held that the process through which the leadership emerged failed to meet the requirements for democratic elections under relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

It consequently nullified the actions taken by the disputed leadership, including the nomination of candidates presented to INEC for the 2027 elections.

ADC, Atiku Reject Judgment

The judgment has triggered reactions from the party and its presidential candidate.

The ADC rejected the ruling, describing it as legally indefensible, and indicated its intention to challenge the decision in court.

Atiku also rejected the judgment and vowed to appeal, insisting that his presidential campaign would continue.