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

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

The 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 party under the disputed caretaker committee, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, November 5, ruling that the Mark-led caretaker committee was illegally constituted and lacked the authority to act on behalf of the party.

The decision represents a major setback for the opposition coalition’s preparations for the 2027 elections, throwing its leadership structure and presidential ticket into fresh uncertainty.

The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC from the North-East, who challenged the process through which Mark and his allies assumed control of the party.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

Why the court removed the Mark-led leadership

Gombe had argued that following Nwosu’s resignation as national chairman, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership as the next-ranking official.

He challenged the emergence of the caretaker committee, insisting that the process violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The plaintiff consequently asked the court to invalidate decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.

Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s claims and granted the reliefs sought.

The ruling effectively invalidated the actions taken by the disputed leadership, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the ADC’s flag bearer.

Atiku’s presidential ambition faces fresh uncertainty

Atiku had emerged as the ADC presidential candidate following the party’s primary organised under the Mark-led leadership.

The former vice-president had also selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate as the opposition party prepared to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.

However, with the court nullifying the authority of the leadership that organised the primary, the legal foundation of Atiku’s nomination has been thrown into question.

The judgment also affects other decisions and candidate nominations made by the disputed party leadership.

The ruling does not, however, end Atiku’s political ambition permanently. The ADC has indicated that it will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, leaving the final outcome subject to further judicial proceedings.

ADC vows to appeal judgment

Reacting to the ruling, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the ADC would appeal the judgment.

Ukandu, who was joined in the proceedings as an interested party, maintained that the party would pursue its legal options against the decision.

The appeal is expected to become a crucial stage in determining the legitimacy of the party’s national leadership and the validity of decisions taken under the caretaker committee.

The judgment comes at a sensitive moment for the opposition, which has been attempting to consolidate its political structure and position itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 general election.

With the leadership dispute now producing another major judicial setback, the ADC faces the immediate challenge of resolving its internal crisis while defending its electoral plans.

The outcome of the appeal could have far-reaching implications for the party’s presidential ticket, other nominations and its broader strategy for the 2027 elections.