Court Dismisses Atiku’s Candidacy and ADC Leaders

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark. The court also voided the party’s presidential ticket held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Judge Peter Lifu stated that the “Mark-led Caretaker Committee, which conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer,” is illegal.

The judge removed all national officers of the party, including Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary. He also dismissed all candidates that the party submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.

If this judgement stands after appeals, the ADC, which is a strong rival to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will not be able to present candidates in the upcoming general elections.

Nafiu Bala Gombe, the former ADC Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, filed the suit. He challenged how Mr Mark and others took over the party’s leadership.

Mr Gombe sued the ADC, INEC, and the key figures involved, including Mark, Aregbesola, and Ralph Nwosu.

On Thursday, the judge also ordered INEC not to recognize decisions from the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on 27 July 2025.

This decision is likely to be appealed up to the Supreme Court, which will make the final ruling before the general elections begin in January.

An appeal against this decision will take the case back to the appellate courts. Previously, an interim ruling had allowed Mr Mark to lead the party as per the Supreme Court’s order in April.

The Supreme Court's earlier decision was not the final word on the issue. A five-member panel instructed the Federal High Court in Abuja to complete the stalled proceedings.