Dare Babalola
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised fresh concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, cautioning that the integrity of the 2027 general elections could be undermined if the judiciary fails to act decisively in ongoing political disputes.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Tuesday, Atiku reacted to a formal letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, by counsel representing a faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by David Mark.
The letter called for urgent intervention over delays in the Supreme Court’s judgment on the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
“It is increasingly evident that Nigeria’s democracy, and indeed the integrity of the 2027 general elections is in serious jeopardy. Democracy itself is now facing an existential threat.
“However, I do not want to believe that the judiciary, long regarded as the last hope of the common man, would align with the ruling APC in any effort that could undermine or destroy our democratic foundations,” Atiku stated.
The development follows a petition by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, who is representing the ADC in an appeal currently before the Supreme Court.
The case, marked SC/CV/180/2026, stems from a leadership tussle within the party and was heard on April 22, with judgment yet to be delivered.
In his letter dated April 28, Aruwa urged the CJN to facilitate the timely release of the ruling, warning that further delay could have severe consequences for the party’s political future.
According to him, the absence of a recognised leadership, reportedly resulting from earlier court decisions, has left the ADC unable to meet key requirements set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The senior lawyer stressed that without a prompt judgment, the party risks being excluded from the electoral process entirely, a situation he described as potentially disenfranchising millions of its supporters nationwide.
He added that the ADC’s participation in the next general elections hinges on the court’s swift determination of the appeal.
