The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, in a ruling that also invalidates the party’s nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on Thursday, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, holding that it lacked the authority to act on behalf of the party.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker leadership assumed control of the party.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola and former party chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
Gombe argued that following Nwosu’s resignation, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership. He asked the court to nullify the actions taken by the Mark-led committee and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
Upholding the suit, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership contravened the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The court also directed INEC not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Atiku’s nomination affected
The judgment invalidated decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer.
It also affected the emergence of Aregbesola as National Secretary and other national officers, as well as the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections.
Atiku’s name had earlier been published by INEC as a presidential candidate. He has also selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Counsel to Gombe, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said the court’s decision meant that actions taken by the ADC under the Mark-led leadership since July 27, 2025, stood annulled.
Another lawyer to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the ruling left the party without candidates for elective offices in the 2027 elections.
ADC to appeal judgment
The ADC has, however, indicated its intention to challenge the ruling.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, said the party would appeal the judgment.
The decision is expected to deepen the ADC’s leadership crisis and raise fresh questions about its preparations for the 2027 general election.
The party’s next steps, including its appeal and any further court orders, will be crucial in determining the future of its leadership and candidates.
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