A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the National Working Committee (NWC) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President, David Mark, invalidating decisions taken by the leadership, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also nullified the emergence of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, as well as the nomination of other candidates presented by the Mark-led leadership for elective positions.
The court further 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 ruling followed a suit instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the Mark-led caretaker leadership.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
Upholding his case, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated provisions of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, INEC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
Atiku Accuses APC of Attempting to Frustrate His Ambition
Reacting to the judgment, Atiku Abubakar accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement issued through his campaign spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice-President questioned the timing of the judgment, noting that it came barely 24 hours after his campaign rally in Sokoto State.
Atiku alleged that the ruling was part of a strategy to weaken his political support in Northern Nigeria and disrupt the growing momentum of his campaign.
He, however, insisted that the development would not derail his presidential ambition, maintaining that his political movement extended beyond regional considerations.
The former Vice-President also faulted the legal basis of the judgment, citing an earlier ruling delivered by Justice Musa Liman of the same Federal High Court on July 2, 2026, which the ADC maintains affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
Atiku said the party would challenge the latest decision at the Court of Appeal.
Peter Obi Raises Concerns Over Electoral Uncertainty
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, also expressed concern over the judgment, particularly its implications for political participation and electoral certainty.
Obi acknowledged the authority of the judiciary to determine disputes but questioned the uncertainty surrounding political parties and candidates so close to the general elections.
He maintained that democratic elections should ultimately give citizens the opportunity to choose their leaders through the ballot.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate urged the judiciary and other relevant institutions to protect democratic principles and ensure that opposition parties could operate without unnecessary obstacles.
Chekwas Okorie Describes Judgment as Invitation to Anarchy
Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, criticised the timing of the judgment, describing it as an invitation to anarchy.
Okorie warned that delivering such a decision while political parties and candidates were already campaigning for the 2027 elections could heighten political tension and create a perception of exclusion.
He called on the judiciary to ensure that outstanding legal disputes were resolved promptly to safeguard the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
Festus Keyamo Defends Court Decision
However, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, defended the judgment, insisting that legal disputes should be determined by facts and evidence rather than political sentiments.
Keyamo argued that the Mark-led faction should accept responsibility for the legal consequences of the process through which it assumed control of the ADC.
He maintained that the faction could not blame the APC for what he described as procedural and constitutional violations.
The minister also insisted that the ADC remained intact as a political party, with its original members and leadership entitled to participate in its affairs.
Opposition Parties Condemn Ruling
The judgment has also attracted reactions from several opposition political parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, condemned the ruling, arguing that political parties should be allowed to determine their candidates through established democratic processes.
Similarly, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, questioned the public perception of the judgment, stressing that court decisions must command public confidence.
The PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the development as part of what he characterised as the gradual weakening of opposition politics in the country.
Ememobong warned that developments capable of restricting political competition could undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The NDC also criticised the ruling, with its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, alleging that the development could undermine competitive elections.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) equally condemned the judgment, warning against developments that could weaken opposition parties and restrict democratic participation.
Nafiu Bala Gombe Hails Judgment, Rejects Reconciliation
On the other side of the dispute, Nafiu Bala Gombe welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for constitutional compliance, internal democracy and the rule of law.
Gombe maintained that political parties must operate within the provisions of their constitutions and relevant electoral laws.
He also ruled out immediate reconciliation with the Mark-led faction, urging David Mark and Atiku Abubakar to register as members of the ADC in their respective wards before seeking to participate in the party’s activities.
Gombe further maintained that candidates who emerged under his leadership remained the legitimate candidates of the party.
ADC Vows to Appeal
Meanwhile, the ADC has rejected the judgment, describing it as legally questionable and insisting that an earlier decision of the same court had already affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that a court of coordinate jurisdiction could not overturn or disregard an existing judgment delivered by another court of equal jurisdiction.
The party also questioned the timing of the ruling, alleging that it could affect thousands of its candidates contesting elective positions across the country.
It has consequently vowed to challenge the decision through available judicial processes, urging members and supporters to remain calm and law-abiding.
What Lies Ahead for ADC and Atiku?
The latest judgment has introduced fresh uncertainty into the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly regarding its national leadership, presidential ticket and other candidates nominated under the Mark-led executive.
Although the ruling invalidated the leadership structure and nominations challenged in court, it did not amount to the deregistration of the ADC as a political party.
The party’s planned appeal is expected to place the dispute before the appellate courts, where the legal questions surrounding its leadership and the validity of its candidates could receive further consideration.
For Atiku, whose presidential campaign had already commenced with Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate, the immediate challenge is the legal uncertainty surrounding the platform on which he intends to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The unfolding situation places the ADC’s internal leadership crisis at the centre of Nigeria’s pre-election political developments, with its eventual resolution carrying significant implications for opposition politics and the electoral process.
