Federal High Court: ADC Leadership Ruling Invalidates Mark Faction, Nullifies 2027 Candidate

• A Federal High Court ruling on November 5 declared the David Mark-led caretaker committee of the ADC illegal.
• The judgment nullified all actions of the committee, including the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as the ADC's 2027 presidential candidate.
• ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi stated the party has spent more time in court than campaigning since 2025.
• Abdullahi alleged the ruling APC is orchestrating the legal challenges to weaken opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.
• The ADC has rejected the ruling and filed an appeal, while Atiku Abubakar views it as an attempt to frustrate his presidential ambition.

Among the most impactful of these nullified actions was the process that had designated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

On November 5, a significant judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, delivered a major blow to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The court ruled in favor of Nafiu Gombe, effectively invalidating the leadership of the faction led by former Senate President David Mark. This pivotal decision declared the Mark-led caretaker committee's formation as illegal and consequently nullified all its subsequent actions. Among the most impactful of these nullified actions was the process that had designated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

The court's ruling also dismissed a purported resignation letter attributed to Gombe, further solidifying his claim in the ongoing leadership dispute. In the immediate aftermath, the ADC publicly rejected the judgment, announcing its intention to file an appeal. The party affirmed that these legal challenges would not deter its political activities. Reacting to the development, Atiku Abubakar characterized the judgment as a deliberate maneuver designed to undermine his political standing in the North and impede his presidential aspirations. This Federal High Court ADC leadership ruling has thus introduced considerable uncertainty into the party's internal structure and its preparations for future elections.

The recent Federal High Court ADC leadership ruling stems from a protracted internal power struggle within the African Democratic Congress. This dispute intensified following the resignation of the party's former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, in July 2025. In the wake of Nwosu's departure, a caretaker leadership committee emerged, headed by former Senate President David Mark. However, this transition was immediately challenged by Nafiu Gombe, the former Deputy National Chairman, who asserted his entitlement to assume the party's leadership position.

This fundamental disagreement created two distinct factions within the ADC, leading to a series of African Democratic Congress court cases that have plagued the party for over a year. The legal battle centered on the legitimacy of the Mark-led committee and its authority to make key party decisions, including the selection of candidates. Justice Peter Lifu's judgment on November 5 directly addressed this core conflict, siding with Gombe's claim and dismantling the framework established by the David Mark faction ADC. The court's rejection of a document alleging Gombe's resignation further underscored the validity of his position in the eyes of the judiciary.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary for the African Democratic Congress, recently articulated the profound impact of continuous litigation on the party's operational capacity. Speaking on Arise Television, Abdullahi lamented that the ADC has dedicated more time to navigating African Democratic Congress court cases than to engaging in campaigning or developing its foundational structures since its formation as a coalition opposition platform in 2025. He candidly stated that the party has been "burdened by this avalanche of court cases," to the extent that its presence in courtrooms has overshadowed its efforts on the campaign trail.

Despite these significant "encumbrances," Abdullahi maintained that the party has made substantial progress, evolving into a formidable opposition force. He further alleged that the persistent legal challenges were not merely internal disagreements but rather a calculated strategy by the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to weaken the opposition in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. According to Abdullahi, the APC's objective is to "discourage opposition" and create a scenario where President Bola Tinubu remains the sole viable candidate.

While PUNCH Online reports that both the APC and the presidency have consistently denied any involvement in the ADC's legal woes, Abdullahi questioned the motives behind the ongoing legal obstacles, suggesting that "it's not about law... it's about politics," and expressing concern over judges potentially being used for such purposes. He reiterated that the coalition had meticulously followed all necessary procedures when joining the ADC, making the continuous legal battles perplexing.

This Federal High Court ruling on the ADC's leadership and candidate selection highlights the critical legal risks associated with internal political party disputes in Nigeria. Lawyers advising political parties or aspirants must closely monitor the ongoing appeal to understand the stability of party structures and the validity of candidate nominations, particularly concerning the 2027 general elections.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH Online.