Court Nullifies Atiku’s Emergence as ADC Presidential Candidate, Sacks David Mark and Aregbesola-Led Leadership

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, and invalidated the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, also nullified the emergence of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, alongside other national officers.

The court declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal, ruling that the process through which the committee assumed control of the party violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the legitimacy of the leadership arrangement that brought Mark and other members of the caretaker committee into the party’s leadership.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party. He subsequently approached the court to challenge the authority of the Mark-led leadership and sought the nullification of decisions taken under its control.

In its judgment, the court upheld the plaintiff’s claims and invalidated decisions taken by the disputed leadership, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s flag bearer.

The court also nullified the nominations of all candidates presented by the party for the 2027 general elections and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

The judgment represents a significant development in the ADC’s internal leadership crisis, particularly as the party had already commenced preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Atiku Abubakar emerging as its presidential candidate and former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, selected as his running mate.

The ruling has also raised questions about the party’s electoral preparations and the legal status of its candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections.

However, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the appellate court, setting the stage for another round of legal proceedings over the party’s leadership and candidate selection process.

The outcome of the anticipated appeal is expected to be important in determining the future leadership structure of the party and the validity of its participation in the 2027 general elections.

The judgment is subject to further legal proceedings if the appeal proceeds.