Atiku Abubakar and David Mark
The political future of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership structure led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and invalidated the presidential primary election that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s flag bearer.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal and ruled that all decisions taken by the leadership structure were invalid.
The court also voided the process through which Atiku emerged as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election, creating another legal challenge for the opposition party as political activities intensify ahead of the polls.
The judgment followed a suit filed by former ADC National Deputy Chairman, North-East, Mr Nafiu-Bala Gombe, who challenged the manner through which the Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership of the party.
He consequently asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and stop Senator David Mark, National Secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and other members of the caretaker committee from presenting themselves as legitimate leaders of the party.
The plaintiff maintained that the emergence of the caretaker committee violated provisions of the ADC constitution and relevant sections of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu as first to fifth defendants respectively.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought.
The ruling effectively places the ADC leadership structure and the validity of its presidential primary under legal scrutiny ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the party has indicated that it will challenge the decision.
Reacting to the judgment, ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, said the party would appeal the ruling.
The development adds another layer of uncertainty to the opposition political landscape as parties continue preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.
