The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, invalidating all decisions taken under the leadership, 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 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, alongside other national officers elected under the disputed leadership. It further invalidated the nominations of all candidates presented by the party for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
He consequently asked the court to nullify the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants in the suit.
Upholding Gombe’s claims, 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 judge also 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.
Speaking after the judgment, counsel to Gombe, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said the ruling effectively invalidated all actions taken by the party under the disputed leadership.
“All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled,” he said.
Another counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the judgment meant the ADC no longer had validly nominated candidates for any elective position in the 2027 elections, including the presidency, governorship, Senate and House of Representatives.
However, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, said the ADC would appeal the judgment.
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.
