The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, in a judgment that also invalidates the process through which former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, November 5, 2026, following a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for the North-East. The plaintiff challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the party’s caretaker leadership assumed control after the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.
The ruling has created fresh uncertainty within the opposition party, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election continue to gather momentum. It also raises questions about the validity of other candidates nominated by the party under the disputed leadership.
Court Upholds Challenge Against Mark-Led Leadership
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, questioned the legality of the leadership transition within the ADC. Gombe argued that the emergence of Mark, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola and other party officials violated the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
He maintained that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s resignation. According to his argument, the process that brought in the Mark-led caretaker committee did not follow the democratic procedures required by law.
Consequently, Gombe approached the court to challenge the decisions taken by the committee and sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s claims and declared the Mark-led caretaker leadership illegal. The court also invalidated the emergence of other national officers who assumed their positions through the disputed process.
Furthermore, the judge ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The court’s decision rested on the constitutional requirement for political parties to elect their principal officers through democratic processes. It also considered provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which regulate party conventions and meetings organised to elect executive officials.
Atiku’s Presidential Ticket Among Decisions Affected
One of the major consequences of the judgment concerns Atiku’s presidential ambition. The former Vice-President secured the ADC presidential ticket through a primary organised under the Mark-led leadership.
However, the court’s decision to invalidate the leadership structure also affected the processes that produced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general elections.
As a result, Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential flag bearer no longer stands under the judgment. The ruling also affects other candidates nominated by the party through the disputed leadership structure.
The development presents a significant challenge for the opposition coalition, which had positioned the ADC as a platform for challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Atiku’s political position could therefore face further uncertainty as the party considers its next steps. Nevertheless, the judgment does not automatically amount to a permanent disqualification from the presidential race, as the ADC and affected parties can pursue the available appellate process.
ADC Rejects Judgment, Promises Legal Action
The ADC has rejected the court’s decision and indicated that it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. Nkemakolam Ukandu, the party’s National Welfare Secretary and an interested party in the case, announced the decision to appeal after the judgment.
Atiku has also expressed his intention to challenge the ruling, describing the development as an attempt to disrupt his presidential ambition.
The party has questioned the circumstances surrounding the judgment and alleged that political interests want to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. However, these allegations remain the party’s position and do not establish political interference in the court’s decision.
The planned appeal could determine whether the judgment stands or whether the appellate court reaches a different conclusion. Until then, the party faces difficult questions about its leadership, internal organisation and participation in the forthcoming elections.
Implications for Nigeria’s 2027 Elections
The ADC leadership dispute comes at a critical period for opposition parties seeking to organise against the ruling APC. The party had attracted considerable political attention following the emergence of prominent opposition figures under its platform.
Consequently, the latest judgment could affect its ability to maintain a unified structure, organise campaigns and present candidates across different constituencies.
It could also create additional uncertainty for supporters who expected Atiku to lead the party’s presidential campaign. Meanwhile, the legal dispute may influence discussions among opposition politicians about their electoral strategies and possible alliances.
For now, the Federal High Court’s decision represents a major setback for the Mark-led ADC leadership and Atiku’s 2027 presidential campaign. However, the pending appeal means the legal battle is not necessarily over, and the final position of the party and its candidates will depend on subsequent court proceedings.