The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, invalidating all decisions taken by the party under the disputed leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, who declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, alongside other national officers appointed under the disputed leadership.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership.
He consequently approached the court to challenge the legitimacy of the caretaker committee and sought an order invalidating all decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership.
The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims, ruling that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The court further 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 also affected all candidates nominated by the party under the disputed leadership for the 2027 general elections, including Atiku, whose presidential ticket was consequently nullified.
Atiku had earlier been listed by INEC as the ADC presidential candidate and had selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would challenge the decision at the appellate court.
The development has introduced fresh uncertainty into the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, as the legal battle over its leadership and candidate nominations continues.
The judgment came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a political rally in Sokoto State as part of his mobilisation ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
ALSO READ:https://vistaonenews.com/2026/11/04/real-madrid-lead-race-for-manchester-united-prodigy-jj-gabriel/
Leave a comment