The fate of 1,504 candidates contesting the 2027 general election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) hangs in the balance following the nullification of the leadership of the party led by former Senate President David Mark
The court also voided all decisions taken under it — including the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, the court declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, ruling that it lacked the constitutional authority to oversee the party’s affairs and conduct the presidential primary that produced Atiku.
The ruling leaves the ADC without candidates for any elective position in the 2027 elections — from the presidency to governorship, Senate and House of Assembly — if upheld by higher courts.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate, had picked former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
The ADC is fielding 28 governorship candidates for the 2027 elections, while 108 is contesting Senate seats on the platform of the party, whereas, 352 candidates are contesting the House of Representatives and 1,015 candidates are contesting for State Houses of Assembly
The judgment came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
The ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Upholding Gombe’s case, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
Gombe had argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership following Nwosu’s resignation, and that Mark’s emergence breached party rules.
The judge also directed INEC not to recognise or act on any decisions reached at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025
“All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled,” the court held.
The ADC has, however, indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.