Keyamo Tells Atiku ADC Ruling is Based on Facts, not Sentiments

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has told former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the law is determined by facts and evidence, not sentiments or public outrage.

Keyamo made the remarks on Thursday while reacting to the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja which nullified the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken under the disputed leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

In a post on his X handle, the minister described the affected leadership as an illegal group, accusing its members of attempting to take control of the party without following the required constitutional procedures.

He argued that the ADC remained an existing political party with its original members and leaders, insisting that it did not belong exclusively to Mark or those who emerged through the disputed leadership arrangement.

“Sorry, but the law is decided on facts and evidence, rather than sentiments and outrage by a group of people,” Keyamo stated.

The minister also dismissed attempts to blame the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the party’s leadership crisis, describing the situation as a problem created by those involved in the disputed takeover.

His comments followed Thursday’s ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullified its actions, including the nomination of Atiku as the ADC's presidential candidate.

The suit was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

The court held that the emergence of the disputed leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution. It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party's 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Reacting to the judgment, the ADC rejected the ruling and vowed to challenge it through available judicial processes. The party argued that the decision conflicted with an earlier judgment delivered by another Federal High Court judge in July 2026, which it said had affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.

Atiku also vowed to appeal the judgment, describing it as an attempt to weaken the opposition and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former Vice-President questioned the timing of the ruling, which came a day after the ADC held a campaign rally in Sokoto State, and urged supporters to remain committed to the party's political activities.

The legal dispute has intensified uncertainty surrounding the ADC's leadership and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.