A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress under former Senate President David Mark and voided the party’s presidential ticket held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the Mark-led caretaker committee, which conducted the primary that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer, was illegal. The judge sacked the entire national officers of the ADC, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and all candidates the party had presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections.
The court directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting of 27 July 2025 or any subsequent actions, including the nomination of candidates.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former deputy national chairman of the party for the North-East. He argued that after the resignation of former national chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled under the party’s constitution to assume leadership. Gombe sued the ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu, asking the court to invalidate all actions of the Mark-led leadership and bar its members from parading themselves as officers of the party.
Justice Lifu upheld the claims and granted the reliefs sought.
Lawyers for the plaintiff said the judgment means every action taken by the Mark leadership from 27 July onwards stands annulled, leaving the ADC without candidates for any elective office in 2027. ADC Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu said the party would appeal.
The leadership dispute arose after prominent politicians, including Mark, Aregbesola, Atiku, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, joined the ADC as a platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027. The crisis began when Nwosu and the previous executives resigned and Mark’s caretaker committee emerged on 29 July 2025.
The matter has already moved between the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. In April the Supreme Court ordered the high court to conclude the stalled proceedings and set aside an earlier appellate order that parties maintain the status quo. The latest judgment is expected to be challenged again, with a final Supreme Court decision anticipated before the 2027 elections begin in January.
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