The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, declaring all decisions taken by the leadership invalid, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday in a case filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee took control of the party.
The court ruled that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership did not follow the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Justice Lifu also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, as well as the appointments of other national officers and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.
The court further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC's 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Gombe had argued that he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party's leadership following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
He asked the court to declare the actions of the Mark-led leadership invalid and stop Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party's National Chairman and National Secretary.
Speaking after the judgment, Gombe's lawyer, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said the court had nullified all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership since July 2025.
Another lawyer to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the ruling meant that the ADC, as things stood, had no recognised candidates for the 2027 presidential, governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections.
He explained that the case had earlier gone to the Supreme Court, which directed that the substantive issues should return to the Federal High Court for determination.
ADC Rejects Judgment, Promises to Appeal
However, the African Democratic Congress has rejected the judgment and announced plans to challenge it through all available legal channels.
The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday.
In the statement titled "Lifu Judgment: APC Wants to Set Nigeria on Fire," the ADC questioned the timing of the judgment and warned that it could affect thousands of its members seeking elective positions in the 2027 elections.
The party argued that the case was not only about Atiku Abubakar and David Mark but also about the political rights of its members and Nigerians who wished to contest elections under its platform.
The ADC also referred to an earlier judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on July 2, 2026. According to the party, that judgment recognised the Mark-led National Working Committee and directed INEC to recognise its leadership.
It argued that one Federal High Court judge could not overturn the decision of another judge of the same level.
The party said it was waiting to obtain the Certified True Copy of Justice Lifu's judgment to understand all the details and orders made by the court.
The ADC also called on the judiciary to protect democracy and urged its members across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while it pursues its legal challenge.
Judgment Comes After Atiku's Campaign Rally
The court's decision came barely 24 hours after Atiku Abubakar began his campaign for the 2027 presidential election with a rally in Sokoto State.
The development has created fresh uncertainty around the ADC's leadership and its participation in the 2027 general elections.
While the court has nullified the actions of the Mark-led leadership, the party has made it clear that it will challenge the decision in court.
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