Court Invalidates Atiku Abubakar's ADC Candidacy

On November 5, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled against the presidential candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The court found that the ADC Caretaker Committee, led by Senator David Mark, did not have the legal standing to act on behalf of the party, rendering all decisions made by the committee, including the primary election that nominated Atiku as the 2027 presidential candidate, illegal.

The case was initiated by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC for the North-East zone, who argued that he was entitled to lead the party following the resignation of Chief Ralph Nwosu. The court's ruling nullified the authority of the Mark-led group and barred Mark and Ogbeni from claiming their positions within the ADC.

Following the judgment, supporters of Atiku gathered outside the court to demand a certified true copy of the ruling.