The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and invalidated actions taken by the executives, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, November 5, 2026, while ruling on a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the party for the North-East.
Gombe had challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker leadership assumed control of the party. He argued that following the resignation of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was qualified to take over the party’s leadership.
The plaintiff asked the court to nullify decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants.
According to Vanguard, the court upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs he sought, effectively invalidating the authority of the Mark-led caretaker committee and the actions it took on behalf of the party.
The ruling affects the presidential primary organised by the committee, which produced Atiku as the ADC’s flag bearer for the 2027 election.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would appeal the decision.
Social Media Reactions
@Emmanuel1745982: Which court?
@muhasanikt: Which court,why now,what is wrong with our courts,government of the day inference,our people are suffering.
@Legendary_10101: Very soon, these courts will run away from sitting because the heat they are looking for, they may never stand it when it comes. Meanwhile, Premium tears Loading!
@KadunaOpposing: lol 😂
Their own na play! Atiku will be the next president of Nigeria In Shaa Allah, come 2027!
@OfficialAPCNg 😂
@kingkhone4real: Tinubu is really afraid of Atiku 😂
@ekwelum: Hia!!! With court cases flying left and right, the 2027 election go be like movie for many people.
@Danthered123: Omoooo
@Akin_Malaolu: One day, Court will renamed Nigeria to be called “Tinubu”.
Thanks
@alexies_josh: This is funny thou!
@JaneCatherine31: I don’t understand
