A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the processes that led to the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as the party’s National Chairman, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and other national officers elected through the disputed leadership arrangement.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, following a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC.
Details of the Court Judgment
In his judgment, Justice Lifu upheld the case presented by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the legality of the process through which David Mark and other members of the interim National Working Committee emerged as leaders of the party.
The judge held that the emergence of Mark, Aregbesola and other national officers through the disputed process was unlawful.
Justice Lifu consequently nullified the processes that produced the leadership structure and declared that actions taken by the David Mark-led leadership in the name of the ADC were unlawful.
The court’s decision also affected candidates nominated by the party for the 2027 general elections, with their nominations nullified on the grounds that they emerged through what the court described as an illegal and unlawful leadership structure.
The ruling therefore affects the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
How the Legal Battle Started
The case was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the emergence of David Mark and his associates as the party’s national leadership.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership position.
He maintained that the process through which Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the interim National Working Committee emerged violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the following as defendants:
- African Democratic Congress (ADC).
- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- Senator David Mark.
- Rauf Aregbesola.
- Former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Gombe approached the court seeking orders to invalidate the disputed leadership arrangement and restrain the affected officials from parading themselves as the party’s legitimate national officers.
What the Judgment Means for Atiku and Other ADC Candidates
The ruling represents a major legal setback for the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Its immediate implications include:
- Atiku Abubakar’s emergence through the disputed presidential nomination process has been nullified.
- David Mark’s emergence as National Chairman has been invalidated.
- Rauf Aregbesola’s position as National Secretary is affected.
- Other national officers produced through the disputed process are affected.
- Other ADC candidates nominated under the same leadership structure have had their nominations nullified.
However, the judgment does not mean that the 2027 general election itself has been cancelled or that Atiku is permanently barred from contesting. The legal consequences will depend on subsequent court proceedings and compliance with applicable electoral laws.
ADC Plans Appeal
Following the judgment, the ADC indicated that it would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, confirmed that the leadership intended to appeal the ruling.
The appeal is expected to introduce another stage in the party’s ongoing leadership crisis, with the appellate court potentially determining the next legal direction.
What Happens Next?
The major issue now is whether the ADC can successfully challenge the judgment and establish the legality of its leadership structure and nominations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The outcome of the appeal will be important to the party, its presidential aspirants, other candidates and INEC’s handling of the party’s electoral affairs.
For now, Justice Peter Odo Lifu’s November 5 judgment has nullified the disputed leadership arrangement and the nominations produced through it, placing the ADC’s 2027 electoral preparations under fresh legal uncertainty.