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 its activities and decisions, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, invalid.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, effectively invalidating the presidential primaries organised by the committee and the nomination of Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC for the North-East, who challenged the process through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership. He consequently asked the court to nullify decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led leadership.
He also sought an order restraining Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, alleging that their emergence contravened the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
In its ruling, the court upheld Gombe’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought, a development that could significantly reshape the ADC’s political fortunes ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as the ADC presidential candidate, had already selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The court’s decision comes barely a day after Atiku led a major campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his efforts to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.
The judgment is expected to trigger further political and legal developments within the ADC, particularly as the party moves to determine its next course of action.
