The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark. It also invalidated every decision the party took under that leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate.
Key facts:
– Court: Federal High Court, Abuja (Justice Peter Lifu)
– Suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025
– Plaintiff: Nafiu Bala Gombe, former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East)
– Outcome: Mark-led caretaker committee declared illegal; all its decisions annulled
– Party response: ADC says it will appeal
Atiku candidacy nullified: what the court held
Justice Lifu declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal. That committee conducted the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer. The judge held that its emergence violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, along with other national officers. The nominations of all candidates the party presented for the 2027 elections were voided as well.
The court further held that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting of July 27, 2025.
Why the Atiku candidacy was nullified: the Gombe suit
The judgment followed a suit by Gombe, who challenged how Mark and other caretaker committee members took control of the party. He argued that after former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership.
Gombe asked the court to invalidate the Mark-led leadership’s actions and to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary. The ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Atiku candidacy nullified: reactions and legal fallout
Gombe’s lead counsel, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said after the ruling: “All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled.”
Another plaintiff’s counsel, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the judgment leaves the ADC without candidates for any elective position in the 2027 elections, from the presidency to the governorship, Senate and House of Assembly.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, said the ADC would appeal.
Atiku candidacy nullified a day after Sokoto rally
The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State. INEC had earlier published his name as a presidential candidate. The judgment now casts doubt on his place on the 2027 ballot, with the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria still ahead.
*This is a developing story and will be updated.
