Federal High Court nullifies Atiku Abubakar’s ADC presidential ticket for 2027 and sacks David Mark-led leadership as the party vows to appeal.
ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general elections, dealing a major setback to his presidential ambition.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, also invalidated the leadership of the ADC led by former Senate President David Mark, declaring the processes through which the party’s national executives emerged unlawful.
The court further nullified decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer, as well as the nominations of other ADC candidates for elective positions in the 2027 elections.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC from the North-East, who challenged the legitimacy of the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership. He maintained that the emergence of Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Upholding Gombe’s claims, Justice Lifu declared the Mark-led leadership illegal and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025. The court also invalidated the emergence of Aregbesola and other national officers under the disputed leadership.
The judgment has cast fresh uncertainty over the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly its capacity to field candidates across elective positions. Atiku had earlier been listed by INEC as the party’s presidential candidate for the election scheduled for January 16, 2027, and had selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
However, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the judgment would be appealed, setting the stage for further legal proceedings that could determine the fate of Atiku’s presidential ticket and the party’s participation in the forthcoming elections.
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