JUST IN: Court Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku’s Candidacy
The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring its emergence illegal and nullifying all actions taken by the party’s caretaker committee.
The ruling effectively invalidates the committee’s decision to organise the party’s presidential primary, which produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared the Mark-led caretaker committee unlawful, thereby upholding the suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC.
Gombe had approached the court to challenge the process through which Mark and his allies assumed control of the party following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The plaintiff argued that, having served as National Deputy Chairman (North-East), he was entitled to assume leadership of the party following Nwosu’s resignation.
Read Also:
He consequently asked the court to nullify all decisions and actions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Gombe maintained that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
The court upheld the plaintiff’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, a development that could significantly reshape the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by INEC as the ADC presidential candidate, had reportedly selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
However, the party has vowed to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
Reacting to the ruling, the ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was subsequently joined in the suit as an interested party, said the party would appeal the decision.
The judgment comes barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his political mobilisation ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
