ABUJA — The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC), invalidating all decisions taken under the executive committee led by former Senate President David Mark, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, 5 November 2026, Justice Peter Lifu declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, ruling that its appointment and subsequent primary elections breached the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
The verdict also sets aside the appointments of former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, alongside all other national party officers and legislative candidates nominated under their oversight for the 2027 General Elections.
Legal breach and court orders
The ruling followed a lawsuit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe. Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party rather than a caretaker committee.
Siding with the plaintiff, Justice Lifu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize or process any decisions stemming from the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on 27 July 2025.
Speaking outside the court, lead counsel for the plaintiff, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), confirmed the broad reach of the judgment.
“The implication is that INEC… has now been ordered not to recognise and not to act on all decisions taken since July 27, 2025,” Fagbemi said. “All actions taken by the ADC as a party since that date stand annulled.”
Plaintiff co-counsel Luka Musa Haruna (SAN) noted that the decision effectively leaves the party without validly nominated candidates for the presidency, governorships, or legislative seats for the upcoming 2027 cycle, pending any alternative recognized leadership structure.
Party plans appeal
The high-stakes judicial ruling arrives just 24 hours after Mr Abubakar, whose name had been published on INEC’s candidate lists, formally opened his 2027 campaign with a rally in Sokoto State.
Responding to the judgment, ADC National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu confirmed that the party leadership intends to challenge the Federal High Court’s ruling at the Court of Appeal.
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