Court Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Ticket
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, declaring its caretaker committee illegal and invalidating decisions taken under its authority, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, by Justice Peter Lifu, represents a major development in the opposition party’s leadership crisis and raises fresh questions about its preparations for the next general elections.
The court upheld a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC for the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and other party leaders assumed control of the organisation following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Gombe had argued that, following Nwosu’s departure, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership in his capacity as the next-ranking official. He consequently approached the court to challenge the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee and the legitimacy of decisions taken by the disputed leadership.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiff were orders restraining Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, as well as the nullification of actions undertaken by the caretaker leadership.
Gombe maintained that the process through which the officials emerged violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Atiku’s Presidential Ticket Affected
In upholding the plaintiff’s case, Justice Lifu invalidated the authority of the Mark-led caretaker committee and the decisions taken under its leadership.
The ruling affects the ADC presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 election. It also affects other candidate nominations made under the disputed leadership structure.
The development places the party’s electoral preparations in fresh legal uncertainty, particularly as Atiku had already been presented as the ADC presidential candidate ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
The former Vice-President had recently selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate and had begun public campaign activities.
His name had also been published by INEC as the party’s presidential candidate before Thursday’s judgment.
ADC Plans Appeal
The ADC has indicated that it will challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the ruling would be appealed, signalling that the dispute over the party’s leadership and candidate selection process may continue through the judicial system.
The outcome of any appeal could have significant implications for the ADC’s leadership structure and its ability to participate in the 2027 general elections under the existing arrangements.
Ruling Comes After Atiku’s Sokoto Rally
The judgment came less than 24 hours after Atiku led the ADC’s campaign flag-off rally in Sokoto State, marking the commencement of his political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The timing adds another layer of uncertainty to the party’s political activities, with the leadership dispute now extending directly to the validity of its presidential ticket and other electoral nominations.
The legal battle is expected to remain a major issue in the ADC’s efforts to resolve its internal leadership crisis and consolidate its position ahead of the 2027 elections.