The Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark, throwing the party’s 2027 presidential ticket into uncertainty.
The ruling affects the party’s nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the forthcoming general election.
Atiku, whose name had already been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a presidential candidate, recently selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled against the Mark-led caretaker leadership of the ADC, which conducted the primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.
The case was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the ADC’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who questioned the legitimacy of the leadership transition that brought Mark and his team into office.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
He asked the court to set aside decisions taken by the Mark-led executives and prevent them from continuing to act as the party’s leadership.
The suit, filed under number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, INEC, Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
The plaintiff also challenged the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola as National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, alleging violations of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The court upheld Gombe’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought in the suit.
The judgment could have significant implications for the ADC’s preparations for the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The party has already indicated its intention to challenge the ruling.
Its National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who participated in the case as an interested party, confirmed that the ADC would appeal the decision.
The development comes a day after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his efforts to mobilise support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.