The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, declaring its actions, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general; elections, invalid.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, following a suit instituted by Nadiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC representing the North-East.
Gombe had challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership, arguing that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the position of National Chairman following the resignation of the party’s former chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
He maintained that the process through which Mark and his associates assumed leadership violated provisions of the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
In its reported judgment, the court upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating decisions taken by the Mark-led caretaker leadership.
Consequence and Timing of the Ruling
The ruling also affects the presidential primary organised under the disputed leadership, which produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku selected former Rivers State Governor Chibike Amaechi as his running mate and began political activities ahead of the election.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, indicated that the party would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The ruling has introduced another round of uncertainty into the party’s leadership structure and preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly concerning the validity of its presidential ticket and other decisions taken under the disputed leadership.
The development is expected to generate further legal and political reactions as the party considers its next course of action.
The judgement comes just as Atiku completed a rousing flag-off campaign in Sokoto and may have piped his building momentum as candidates begin the final weeks to the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
