Court Rules Against David Mark's ADC Leadership, Voids Atiku's Candidacy

On November 5, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring the caretaker committee illegal. The court's decision, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a suit by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC.

Gombe challenged the legitimacy of Mark's leadership and the process that led to Atiku Abubakar being nominated as the ADC's presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The court found merit in Gombe's claims, stating that the caretaker committee's actions, including the presidential primary, were invalid.

Atiku had been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party's candidate and had chosen Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate. The ruling also sought to restrain Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from claiming their respective positions within the party, asserting that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act.