A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, and invalidated decisions taken by the committee, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgement on Thursday, November 5, 2026, ruling that the process through which Mark and members of the party’s caretaker committee assumed leadership positions was unlawful.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, declaring invalid decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the nomination of candidates for the forthcoming general elections.
The judgement followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the legitimacy of the party’s leadership transition.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe argued that he was entitled to assume the position of National Chairman following the departure of the party’s former chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
He maintained that the emergence of Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the caretaker committee violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
Gombe consequently asked the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. He also sought the nullification of decisions taken by the disputed leadership.
The defendants in the suit included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu.
Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, dealing a major blow to the ADC leadership structure and its preparations for the 2027 elections.
Atiku’s Presidential Ambition in Fresh Uncertainty
The ruling has also thrown Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition on the ADC platform into uncertainty.
Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate and subsequently selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
INEC had earlier published Atiku’s name as the ADC presidential candidate for the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
However, the court’s decision to invalidate actions taken by the Mark leadership, including candidate nominations, raises questions about the legal standing of the ticket.
The implications of the judgement could extend beyond the presidential nomination to other candidates whose emergence was facilitated by the affected leadership structure.
The development is particularly significant given the proximity of the election and the political activities already underway ahead of the polls.
Background to the Leadership Crisis
The dispute between Gombe and the Mark-led faction is part of a prolonged leadership crisis that has unsettled the ADC since the transition from Nwosu’s leadership.
Gombe had challenged the process through which Mark and his allies assumed control of the party, insisting that the transition did not comply with the party’s constitution.
The case also passed through several procedural stages, including appeals and applications by the defendants seeking to challenge aspects of the proceedings.
In April 2026, the Supreme Court intervened in the dispute by setting aside a Court of Appeal directive that had stalled proceedings and returning the substantive case to the Federal High Court for determination.
The apex court’s intervention cleared the way for the trial court to proceed with the substantive leadership dispute; it did not, however, settle the question of who was legally entitled to lead the ADC.
The Federal High Court subsequently heard arguments from the parties before reserving judgement in October.
ADC to Appeal Judgement
The ADC has indicated that it will challenge the latest judgement at the Court of Appeal. Reacting to the decision, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the judgement would be contested at the appellate court.
The appeal could become another significant legal battle for the party, particularly as it seeks to preserve its political structure and participation in the 2027 elections.
The judgement was delivered barely a day after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his efforts to consolidate support ahead of the presidential election.
With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, the legal battle presents a major challenge for the ADC and its presidential candidate.
The outcome of any appeal, alongside INEC’s subsequent actions and any further court orders, will be crucial in determining the party’s leadership and the status of its candidates.
