The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated all decisions taken under it, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his judgment in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, nullifying the process through which it conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as flag bearer.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, as well as the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party after the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Upholding Gombe’s case, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The court also ordered 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.
“All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled,” counsel to Gombe, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said after the judgment.
He said the judgment effectively left the ADC without candidates for elective positions in the 2027 elections, including the presidency, governorship, Senate and House of Representatives.
“As it stands today, the ADC has no candidate from the presidential level to the House of Assembly, governorship, Senate and all other elective positions for the 2027 election. They don’t have any representation as it stands today, except you are from the camp of Nafiu Bala, who is the substantive chairman,” Haruna added.
The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as ADC presidential candidate with former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi as running mate, held a campaign rally in Sokoto State ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
ADC, Atiku Reject Ruling, Vow Appeal
The ADC has rejected the judgment, describing it as legally defective and vowing to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement titled ‘Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire’, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the party would challenge the ruling through every available judicial process.
The party faulted the judgment, citing an earlier ruling by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on July 2, 2026 in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which it said affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led NWC and directed INEC to recognise its leadership.
Atiku also vowed to appeal, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition ahead of the elections.
The Gombe faction, however, hailed the judgment as a victory and ruled out immediate reconciliation, asking Mark and Atiku to register as members of the party in their respective wards before seeking to participate in its affairs.
