Federal High Court Abuja: Atiku Abubakar Disqualification Upheld

• The Federal High Court in Abuja disqualified Atiku Abubakar from the presidential race.
• The ruling cited the illegal constitution of the African Democratic Congress's leadership as the reason for the disqualification.
• The ADC plans to appeal the decision, alleging the ruling All Progressives Congress orchestrated the lawsuit.
• This significant ruling occurs just two months before Nigeria's presidential election on January 16.
• Abubakar's potential absence could mean no major northern candidate in the election, a politically sensitive issue in Nigeria.

The court's decision highlights the critical importance of political parties ensuring their internal structures fully comply with established legal frameworks.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that disqualifies Atiku Abubakar from running as the presidential candidate for the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC). This significant decision comes just two months before Nigeria's general election, scheduled for January 16, where citizens are set to elect a successor to President Bola Tinubu.

The court's judgment was based on the finding that the leadership of the ADC, identified as one of the three primary parties vying for the presidency, had been illegally constituted. This determination consequently rendered Abubakar's candidacy invalid. In response to the ruling, the ADC has announced its intention to appeal, simultaneously accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the lawsuit.

The court's decision highlights the critical importance of political parties ensuring their internal structures fully comply with established legal frameworks. Bolaji Abdullahi, a spokesperson for the ADC, characterized Thursday's ruling as a "desperate attempt to cripple the opposition and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders in the forthcoming general elections," echoing the party's claims of political interference.

The African Democratic Congress has previously faced legal challenges concerning its leadership. Earlier this year, the federal government supported a separate lawsuit questioning the ADC's eligibility to participate in the 2027 elections, alleging the party had not met constitutional requirements. However, an appeals court subsequently overturned that particular ruling. Despite the ADC and government critics suggesting the current case is orchestrated by the ruling party, Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for President Tinubu, denied any APC involvement in the leadership dispute that led to Abubakar's disqualification, emphasizing the party's non-participation.

The timing of this judicial intervention is particularly notable, as it occurred merely a day after Atiku Abubakar officially launched his campaign with a rally in Sokoto state. Abubakar himself commented on the timing, stating it was "no coincidence." The upcoming January 16 election is set against a backdrop of a challenging economy and escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

Incumbent President Tinubu faces a fragmented opposition, with Abubakar and Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, expected to be his main challengers, setting the stage for a rematch of the 2023 presidential election where Abubakar and Obi placed second and third, respectively. The campaign season, which commenced in August, has seen a slow start, partly due to opposition parties being entangled in various legal battles, a situation that could potentially bolster Tinubu's prospects at the polls.

Should Abubakar be unable to contest, the election would proceed without a significant presidential candidate from Nigeria's northern region. This absence could prove to be a disruptive development in a nation where regional representation holds considerable political sensitivity. Peter Obi described Thursday's ruling against Abubakar as "shocking," underscoring the unexpected nature of the court's decision and its potential impact on the political landscape.

This ruling underscores the critical importance of strict adherence to electoral laws and internal party governance procedures for political parties and candidates in Nigeria. Lawyers advising political entities must ensure their clients' structures and processes are legally sound to prevent disqualification, as such challenges can significantly alter the political landscape and election outcomes.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica