Court Nullifies Atiku's ADC Presidential Candidacy, Sacks Mark-Led Leadership.

I n a landmark ruling that has thrown the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into turmoil, the Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the party's entire leadership structure and invalidated all decisions made under it, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu, delivering judgment on Thursday, declared the David Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal and voided the process that produced Atiku as the party's flag bearer. The court also annulled the appointment of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, along with other national officers and all candidate nominations submitted by the party for the 2027 elections.

The ruling stemmed from a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East). Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party. He therefore challenged the legitimacy of the Mark-led committee and sought to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.

Justice Lifu upheld Gombe's arguments, finding that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on any decisions taken at the party's 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Speaking to journalists after the judgment, counsel for the plaintiff, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), explained the far-reaching implications. "All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled," he said, noting that INEC has been directed not to recognise any decisions from that NEC meeting.

Fellow counsel Luka Musa Haruna (SAN) emphasised that the ruling leaves the ADC without any candidates for the 2027 elections at every level—from presidency to governorship, Senate, and House of Assembly. "As it stands today, the ADC has no candidate from the presidential level to the House of Assembly," Haruna stated, adding that only those aligned with Gombe's camp can claim legitimate representation.

The judgment followed a Supreme Court directive returning the substantive matter to the Federal High Court for determination after an interlocutory appeal had reached the apex court.

Meanwhile, the party's National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined as an interested party, indicated that the ADC would appeal the ruling.

The timing of the judgment is particularly striking, coming barely 24 hours after Atiku commenced his presidential campaign with a rally in Sokoto State. His name had already been published by INEC as a presidential candidate.

The ruling raises significant questions about the ADC's political future and could reshape the landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.