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 leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, declaring the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal. The committee had organised the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, alongside other national officers appointed under the disputed leadership.
Furthermore, the judgment affected the nominations of candidates presented by the ADC for the 2027 general elections, following the court’s decision to invalidate actions taken by the caretaker committee.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership as the next-ranking official.
He maintained that the emergence of Mark and other members of the caretaker committee did not follow the provisions of the party’s constitution and relevant electoral laws.
Consequently, Gombe approached the court seeking to invalidate all decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership. He also asked the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants in the suit.
The judgment represents a major legal setback for the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly because it affects the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
However, the ruling is not necessarily the end of the legal battle. The ADC has rejected the judgment and indicated that it would challenge the decision at the appellate court.
The party’s next legal steps will be important in determining the future of its leadership structure and the status of its candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.
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