The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the executive committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark and declared all actions taken by the group void, including the party’s nomination of former vice‑president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, the court found the Senator Mark‑led Caretaker Committee that organised the primary election producing Atiku as the party’s flag bearer to be illegal. Atiku, who had been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a candidate, has since chosen former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
The ruling followed a suit filed by former National Deputy Chairman (North‑East) Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the committee’s takeover after the resignation of former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu. Gombe argued that he was the rightful successor to lead the ADC and sought the court to nullify all actions taken by the Senator Mark‑led leadership.
Defendants in the case included the ADC, INEC, Senator Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu. The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, claiming that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The court granted Gombe’s reliefs, a decision that could set off a chain of reactions ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election. The ADC has announced that it will appeal the judgment.
Speaking after the verdict, ADC National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was later joined as an interested party, said the party would challenge the ruling in appellate court. The development comes just 24 hours after Atiku held a large rally in Sokoto State as part of his campaign for the 2027 election.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>