NEWS
BREAKING NEWS: Court Nullifies David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Invalidates Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Candidacy
The political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election has suffered a major shake-up following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark.
In a far-reaching decision delivered on Thursday, the court declared the actions and decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership on behalf of the opposition party invalid, effectively throwing the party’s leadership structure and presidential election preparations into fresh uncertainty.
The ruling also invalidated the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, dealing a significant blow to his political ambition and the party’s efforts to position itself as a major opposition platform.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment while determining a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC for the North-East, who challenged the legitimacy of the process through which David Mark and his allies assumed control of the party.
Gombe had approached the court following the resignation of the ADC’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, arguing that he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party in his capacity as the next-ranking official.
He consequently challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership, insisting that the process violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
The former party official asked the court to nullify all decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The suit, registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
In its judgment, the court upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the activities of the Mark-led Caretaker Committee.
One of the most consequential implications of the ruling is the nullification of the presidential primary election conducted under the disputed leadership, which produced Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential flag bearer for the 2027 election.
Atiku had already been listed by INEC as a presidential candidate, with former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, selected as his running mate in the anticipated presidential contest.
The development now raises serious questions about the legal status of the party’s presidential ticket, its leadership arrangements and the future of the political coalition built around the ADC ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the opposition party has indicated that it will not accept the judgment without a fight, signalling its intention to pursue the matter through the appellate court.
The ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, confirmed that the party’s leadership would appeal the decision.
The court ruling comes at a particularly sensitive moment for Atiku, having been delivered barely 24 hours after the former Vice President held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his political mobilisation and preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
With the ADC expected to challenge the judgment, the legal battle could open another chapter in the unfolding struggle for control of the opposition party, while leaving Atiku’s presidential ticket and the party’s electoral strategy hanging in the balance.