The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark, declaring its actions, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, invalid.
The ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, who declared illegal the Mark-led Caretaker Committee responsible for organising the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership. He consequently asked the court to nullify all decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led executives.
He also sought an order restraining Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, arguing that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Mark, Aregbesola and Chief Nwosu as defendants.
Upholding Gombe’s claims, the court granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the actions taken by the Mark-led leadership. The decision could have significant implications for the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, particularly its presidential ticket.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was later joined in the case as an interested party, said the party would challenge the ruling at the appellate court.
The development comes barely 24 hours after Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as the ADC’s presidential candidate, held a campaign rally in Sokoto State.
He had also selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
