The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress led by former Senate President David Mark, throwing the party's preparations for the 2027 general election into uncertainty.
The ruling also invalidated the processes that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate, alongside other candidates nominated by the party for the forthcoming elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday in a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership.
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Gombe had argued that he was entitled to assume the party's leadership following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
He also challenged the emergence of Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party's National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, alleging that the process violated the ADC constitution and the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
In its ruling, the court upheld Gombe's claims and declared the Mark-led caretaker leadership illegal.
It consequently nullified the actions taken by the leadership on behalf of the party, including the processes leading to the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.
The judgment puts Atiku's presidential candidacy in doubt, despite the fact that INEC had earlier published his name as the ADC flag bearer. He had also announced former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The ruling comes as political parties intensify preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
Reacting to the decision, the party's National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would appeal the verdict.
The judgment is expected to trigger fresh political and legal developments within the opposition party as it seeks to resolve its leadership crisis ahead of the elections.
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