Court Sacks Mark-Led ADC Executives, Nullifies Atiku’s Candidacy

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led executives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified all actions taken by them on behalf of the party.

The nullified actions include the nomination of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, whose name was earlier published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a candidate for the poll, had since chosen former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Lifu declared illegal the Senator Mark-led Caretaker Committee of the ADC, which organised the primary election that produced Atiku as the party’s flag bearer.

The court found merit in the suit filed by the aggrieved former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

Gombe had approached the court to challenge the process through which the Mark-led Committee took over the leadership of the party.

He argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was qualified to assume the leadership of the party.

He therefore prayed the court to nullify all actions taken on behalf of the party by the Mark-led leadership.

Listed as defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, were the ADC, INEC, Senator Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.

The plaintiff also urged the court to restrain Senator Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, insisting that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s claim and granted his reliefs, a verdict that could trigger a chain of reactions in the polity, with the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.

The ADC has already vowed to appeal the judgment.

Reacting to the outcome, the National Welfare Secretary of the ADC, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was later joined as an interested party in the matter, said the verdict would be challenged at the appellate court.