A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark, striking down the caretaker committee’s authority and invalidating its decisions, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
Titiansloaded reports that Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling in favour of Nafiu Balaton Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman for the North-East, who challenged how Mark’s leadership assumed control of the party.
The ruling casts uncertainty over the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, scheduled for January 16, and the status of Atiku’s candidacy.
The former vice-president had earlier been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate and selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Gombe approached the court after the resignation of former ADC National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, arguing that he was entitled to take over the party’s leadership.
He challenged the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker committee, which conducted the party’s presidential primary, and asked the court to invalidate actions taken by the committee.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, INEC, Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
Gombe also sought an order preventing Mark and Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively. He argued that their appointments breached the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively declaring the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and voiding its actions on behalf of the party.
The decision could trigger further political and legal developments as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
The ADC has said it will appeal the judgment. National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the case as an interested party, confirmed that the party would challenge the ruling at the appellate court.
