Atiku’s Presidential Ambition Faces Setback as Court Sacks ADC Leadership

The presidential ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has suffered a setback following a Federal High Court judgment that removed the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The court also nullified all actions taken by the leadership on behalf of the party, including the process that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday in Abuja while ruling on a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC.

Gombe had challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party after the resignation of its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.

He argued that his position as former National Deputy Chairman entitled him to take over the party’s leadership following Nwosu’s departure.

The plaintiff consequently approached the court to challenge the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership and sought the nullification of all decisions taken by the committee.

He also asked the court to restrain Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

Gombe maintained that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.

Upholding the plaintiff’s claims, Justice Lifu granted the reliefs sought and declared the Mark-led caretaker leadership illegal.

The judgment effectively invalidates the committee’s actions, including the nomination process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential flag bearer.

INEC had earlier published Atiku’s name as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the January 16, 2027 election. He had also selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

However, the court ruling has raised questions about the status of the presidential ticket and other decisions taken by the affected leadership.

The development comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Atiku already beginning campaign activities across the country.

Barely 24 hours before the judgment, the former vice-president attended a major ADC rally in Sokoto State as part of his efforts to mobilise support for his presidential bid.

Meanwhile, the ADC has rejected the court’s decision and indicated its intention to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who joined the case later as an interested party, confirmed that the party would appeal the judgment.

The outcome of the appeal could determine the next steps for the party’s leadership and the validity of decisions taken under the Mark-led administration.