Court Sacks Mark-Led ADC Exco, Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Candidacy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), invalidating all actions taken by the party’s caretaker committee, including the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

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The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, thereby voiding the presidential primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.

The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the aggrieved former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.

Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the leadership position.

He consequently approached the court, seeking, among other reliefs, the nullification of all actions undertaken by the Mark-led leadership on behalf of the party.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the plaintiff also sought an order restraining Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

He contended that their emergence violated the ADC’s constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The defendants in the suit included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.

Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively stripping the Mark-led executive of its authority and invalidating decisions taken under its leadership.

The judgment has thrown fresh uncertainty into the political calculations ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly concerning the ADC’s preparations and the legitimacy of its nominated candidates.

Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as the ADC’s presidential candidate, has reportedly chosen former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

However, the court’s decision now casts a legal shadow over the party’s presidential ticket and other political arrangements made under the nullified leadership.

The ADC has vowed to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.

Reacting to the ruling, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was subsequently joined in the suit as an interested party, said the judgment would be appealed.

With the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, the unfolding legal battle is expected to generate further political and legal developments as the ADC seeks to overturn the ruling and reclaim its position in the electoral process.