Court Sacks Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Candidacy — ADC Vows To Appeal

ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, November 5, nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, invalidating all decisions taken under it — including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Odo Lifu, the court declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, ruling that the committee lacked the constitutional authority to oversee the party’s affairs and conduct the presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer.

The court also nullified:

• The emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary
• The emergence of other national officers elected under the disputed leadership
• The nominations of ALL candidates presented by the party for the 2027 general elections — from presidency to governorship, Senate and House of Representatives

Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court further directed that INEC should not recognise or act on any decisions reached at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

“All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled,” counsel to the plaintiff said after judgment.

WHO TOOK ADC TO COURT?

The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe.

Gombe challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party after the exit of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.

He argued he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership following Nwosu’s resignation.

The ADC, INEC, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants.

TIMING — 24 HOURS AFTER SOKOTO RALLY

The ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as the party’s presidential candidate, held a campaign rally in Sokoto State on Wednesday.

Atiku had already picked former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

ADC REACTION — WE WILL APPEAL

The ADC has rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, confirmed the leadership will appeal.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The ruling does not by itself pronounce on Atiku’s personal eligibility to contest, but it invalidates the nomination process under the disputed leadership.

If the Appeal Court upholds it, ADC will have no validly nominated candidate for 2027 unless it conducts a fresh, lawful convention and primaries.

MEGA AWARENESS is monitoring INEC’s reaction and ADC’s appeal filing.

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