The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has reportedly nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) headed by former Senate President David Mark, declaring invalid the actions taken by the party’s leadership, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the David Mark-led caretaker committee, which conducted the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer, was not lawfully constituted.
The judgment followed a leadership dispute instituted by the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the circumstances surrounding the emergence of Mark and other members of the party’s leadership.
Gombe had approached the court following the resignation of the ADC’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, arguing that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership.
He maintained that the process through which the Mark-led committee took control of the party violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe asked the court to invalidate all decisions and actions taken by the disputed leadership.
He also sought an order restraining Senator Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
The ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants in the suit.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu reportedly upheld the plaintiff’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the activities carried out under the disputed leadership.
The ruling consequently affects the party’s presidential nomination process, through which Atiku emerged as its candidate for the 2027 election.
Atiku had reportedly been listed by INEC as the ADC presidential candidate, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi named as his running mate.
The development represents a significant legal setback for the opposition party as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
ADC Rejects Judgment, Moves to Appeal
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC indicated that it would challenge the decision before the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined as an interested party in the proceedings, disclosed that steps would be taken to contest the ruling at the appellate court.
The judgment comes barely 24 hours after Atiku reportedly held a major political rally in Sokoto State as part of his preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.
Although the ruling raises fresh questions about the ADC’s leadership and presidential ticket, the party’s planned appeal could open another phase of legal proceedings.
The ultimate implications for Atiku’s candidacy and the party’s participation in the presidential election will depend on subsequent judicial decisions and applicable electoral procedures.
