A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, invalidating decisions taken by the disputed leadership, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, November 5, 2026, ruling that the process through which the Mark-led caretaker committee assumed control of the party was unlawful.
The decision followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC representing the North-East, who challenged the emergence of Mark and other officials as leaders 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 leadership position. He maintained that the process that brought in Mark and his allies violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu among the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullified its actions on behalf of the party.
The judgment also affected the emergence of Aregbesola as the party’s National Secretary and other national officers appointed under the disputed arrangement.
Atiku’s presidential ticket affected
One of the major consequences of the ruling is the nullification of the ADC presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer for the 2027 election.
The court also invalidated the nominations of other candidates presented by the party for elective positions.
Atiku had earlier selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate, while INEC had published his name as the ADC presidential candidate.
The ruling therefore introduces fresh legal uncertainty into the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
ADC vows to appeal
The ADC has indicated that it will challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the decision would be appealed, signalling that the leadership dispute is likely to continue through the judicial process.
The judgment comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ADC emerging as a platform for opposition figures seeking to contest the next presidential poll.
Until the appeal process is concluded, the ruling remains a significant development in the party’s leadership dispute and the legal status of its nominated candidates.