Court Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku’s Presidential Candidacy

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring invalid all actions taken by the party’s caretaker leadership.

The ruling also affects the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday after considering a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the party (North-East), who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the ADC.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume leadership of the party. He asked the court to invalidate decisions taken by the caretaker committee and restrain Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

The plaintiff maintained that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, 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 he sought, declaring the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and invalidating its actions on behalf of the party.

The decision casts uncertainty over the status of Atiku’s emergence as the ADC’s presidential candidate, since the party’s primary election was organised under the leadership whose authority has now been challenged successfully in court.

The ruling also raises questions about the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly its presidential ticket, which reportedly has former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate.

However, the ADC has indicated that it will challenge the judgment at the appellate court.

The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined as an interested party in the case, said the verdict would be appealed.

The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the supplied report.