Court Voids ADC Leadership, Threatening Atiku's 2027 Candidacy
A Federal High Court judgment has invalidated the African Democratic Congress leadership structure and all decisions made under it, including Atiku Abubakar's presidential nomination.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress unlawful, effectively nullifying all actions taken by the party hierarchy. Justice Peter Lifu issued the ruling on November 5, 2026, striking down the David Mark-led caretaker committee and national working committee for violating the party's constitution, the Electoral Act, and Nigeria's 1999 Constitution.
The judgment was delivered in a case brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party's former deputy national chairman. The ruling's most significant consequence is the invalidation of Atiku Abubakar's selection as the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
Since all decisions made under the now-illegal leadership are no longer valid, the former vice president's ticket is thrown into uncertainty pending further legal and administrative proceedings. The Independent National Electoral Commission has responded by announcing it will not immediately act on the judgment.
Instead, INEC stated it will await receipt of a certified true copy of the court decision before examining its implications. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission's national commissioner and head of its information committee, indicated that INEC intends to study the full details of the ruling before determining how to proceed regarding the party's leadership status and related decisions.
The court found that the David Mark-led structure breached multiple legal frameworks governing the party's operations. However, INEC's measured approach suggests the electoral body will take time to assess how the judgment affects the party's eligibility to field candidates in 2027, pending its receipt and analysis of the official court documents.
