Destiny Ugorji

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the processes through which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also invalidated the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and other officials as national leaders of the party.

The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the ADC’s Deputy National Chairman, challenging the legitimacy of the party’s leadership arrangements.

Justice Lifu upheld the plaintiff’s case, holding that David Mark, Aregbesola and other members of the factional leadership assumed their positions through unlawful and improper processes.

Consequently, the court declared all actions taken by the David Mark-led leadership in the name of the ADC invalid.

The court further nullified the nominations of all candidates put forward by the party for the 2027 general elections, ruling that their emergence was a product of an illegitimate leadership structure.

The judgment represents a major setback for the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 elections, particularly its presidential ambitions, and raises fresh questions about the party’s leadership, internal administration and electoral prospects.