COURT NULLIFIES ATIKU’S 2027 ADC PRESIDENTIAL TICKET, SACKS DAVID MARK-LED LEADERSHIP

COURT NULLIFIES ATIKU’S 2027 ADC PRESIDENTIAL TICKET, SACKS DAVID MARK-LED LEADERSHIP




A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, in a ruling that has thrown the party's preparations for the 2027 general elections into fresh uncertainty.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, invalidated the emergence of Mark and other officials under the party's disputed caretaker leadership.

The decision also affected the process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

According to reports, the court declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullified decisions taken by the committee on behalf of the party, including the nomination of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

Why the Court Nullified the ADC Leadership

The case was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC representing the North-East, who challenged the process through which David Mark and other political figures assumed control of the party.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party's former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the ADC.

He also challenged the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary.

The plaintiff maintained that the process through which the caretaker leadership emerged 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 decisions taken by the disputed leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party's National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

The defendants included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu.

Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff's case and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the actions taken by the Mark-led leadership.

Atiku's 2027 Presidential Ambition Faces Fresh Uncertainty

The judgment represents a significant setback for Atiku Abubakar, whose emergence as the ADC's presidential candidate followed the primary organised under the disputed leadership.

The development has placed the validity of his presidential ticket in question, alongside the nominations of other candidates presented by the party for the 2027 general elections.

Atiku had already begun political mobilisation ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

He had also reportedly selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

The court's decision now raises questions about the future of the ADC's presidential ticket and its participation in the forthcoming elections.

ADC Rejects Judgment, Announces Plans to Appeal

Following the ruling, the African Democratic Congress indicated that it would challenge the decision at the appellate court.

The party's National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the leadership would pursue an appeal against the judgment.

In a subsequent statement, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also rejected the ruling and expressed concerns about its implications for the party and its members contesting various political positions.

The ADC argued that an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 2, 2026, had affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee and directed INEC to recognise its leadership.

The party questioned whether a court of coordinate jurisdiction could overturn an earlier decision of another court of equal jurisdiction.

It also stated that it was awaiting the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the latest judgment to determine its precise terms and the scope of the orders made.

The ADC maintained that it would pursue all available legal avenues to challenge the decision and urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding.

What the Judgment Means for the 2027 Elections

The ruling has introduced another legal challenge into Nigeria's political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the leadership structure and candidate nomination process affected, the ADC may have to address significant legal and organisational questions before proceeding with its electoral preparations.

However, the party's planned appeal means the dispute is not necessarily over, and further developments at the appellate court could determine the future of its leadership structure and candidates.

The outcome of the legal proceedings is expected to be closely followed by political stakeholders, particularly members of the opposition coa

lition relying on the ADC as their platform for the 2027 elections.