Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress and invalidated the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Keyamo, in a post on X on Friday, said court decisions should be based on facts and evidence rather than public sentiments or political reactions.
He also dismissed claims that the ruling posed a threat to democracy, warning against attempts to intimidate judges or discredit the judiciary over unfavourable decisions.
“You cannot abuse judges and blackmail the judiciary when it doesn’t go your way. Heavens will not fall if a certain Atiku Abubakar is not on the ballot in 2027,” he said.
The minister argued that the ADC remained a recognised political party with its original leaders and members, whom he said had equal rights as Nigerians.
Keyamo’s comments come amid controversy over the judgment, with the ADC and its supporters expressing opposition to the court’s decision and indicating plans to challenge it.
He also referred to previous Supreme Court decisions in the 2020 Bayelsa governorship dispute and the 2019 Zamfara elections, which went against the All Progressives Congress, arguing that the party accepted the outcomes at the time.
DDM reported that the ADC leadership crisis deepened on Thursday after the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.
The ruling also invalidated the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
