Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has said Nigeria would not face any crisis if former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar fails to appear on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.

Keyamo made the remarks on Friday, November 6, while reacting to the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark and invalidated the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

In a post on X, the minister defended the court’s decision, arguing that judicial pronouncements should be respected regardless of whether they favour or disadvantage particular political interests.

He also criticised opposition figures for what he described as inconsistent attitudes towards the judiciary, accusing them of attacking judges when decisions go against their expectations.

“You cannot abuse judges and blackmail the judiciary when it doesn’t go your way,” Keyamo said.

He further declared that Atiku’s possible exclusion from the 2027 presidential contest would not threaten the country’s stability.

Keyamo supported his argument by recalling previous Supreme Court decisions that went against the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly the 2019 Zamfara governorship dispute.

The apex court had nullified the electoral victories of APC candidates in the state and declared their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts winners.

The minister noted that Atiku, who contested the 2019 presidential election on the PDP platform, had welcomed that judgment at the time, describing it as a victory for the rule of law.

He also referenced the February 2020 Supreme Court ruling that disqualified APC governorship candidate David Lyon in Bayelsa State, a day before his scheduled inauguration, paving the way for PDP candidate Douye Diri to become governor.

According to Keyamo, the APC accepted those judicial decisions without resorting to attacks on the judiciary.

The latest controversy followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala, a former ADC national deputy chairman, challenging the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.

In Thursday’s ruling, Justice Peter Lifu declared the caretaker leadership illegal and invalidated decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential flagbearer.

The judgment has intensified the political uncertainty surrounding the ADC and its preparations for the 2027 general election.

Atiku and the party have indicated their intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.