A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, and voided all decisions taken under it — including the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
The judgment came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State.
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. 5b8b
The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, alongside other national officers elected under the disputed leadership.
It further invalidated the nominations of all candidates presented by the party for the 2027 general elections. 5b8b
TheHintsNews reports that 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. 5b8b
The ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (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 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 INEC as the party’s presidential candidate, had picked former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
The ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The decision is expected to be challenged up to the Supreme Court, which will give its final verdict before the general elections start in January.