Court Nullifies David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Invalidates Atiku’s 2027 Candidacy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, invalidating decisions taken by the party under the leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, declaring the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal and nullifying the process through which it conducted the party’s presidential primary.

The ruling also affected the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, the appointments of other national officers and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

Court Upholds Nafiu Bala Gombe’s Challenge

The judgment followed a suit 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.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership.

He asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

Upholding his 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.

INEC Ordered Not to Recognise Party Decisions

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Speaking after the judgment, counsel to Gombe, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said the court had nullified all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership from July 2025 to date.

Another counsel, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the ruling followed the determination of the substantive suit after the Supreme Court directed that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for hearing.

Haruna argued that the judgment effectively left the ADC without candidates for elective positions in the 2027 elections, including the presidency, governorship, Senate and House of Representatives seats.

ADC Plans to Appeal Judgment

Meanwhile, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, reportedly said the ADC would appeal the judgment.

The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as a presidential candidate, began his campaign with a rally in Sokoto State.

Punch Newspapers