The Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly invalidated the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, ruling that all decisions and actions undertaken by the leadership on behalf of the party are invalid.
The affected decisions include the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu reportedly delivered the judgment on Thursday following a lawsuit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the party representing the North-East.
Gombe had approached the court to challenge the emergence of the Mark-led leadership, insisting that he was constitutionally entitled to become the party’s National Chairman after the resignation of its former chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
He asked the court to set aside decisions taken by the disputed leadership and prevent Senator Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from parading themselves as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
According to the plaintiff, the process that produced the two officials contravened the party’s constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In its reported ruling, the court agreed with Gombe and granted the reliefs requested, thereby stripping the Mark-led Caretaker Committee of its authority. The committee had organised the ADC presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate.
The case, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, named the ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
Atiku, whose candidacy had previously been published by INEC, had already chosen former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate for the 2027 presidential contest.
The court’s decision is expected to generate further legal and political uncertainty over the validity of the ADC presidential ticket and other decisions made under the disputed leadership.
ADC vows to appeal judgment
The African Democratic Congress has announced plans to challenge the judgment before a higher court.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was later joined in the proceedings as an interested party, confirmed the intention to appeal the ruling.
The judgment comes less than 24 hours after Atiku organised a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
