Court Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku Presidential Ticket

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified all decisions and actions taken by the party under the disputed leadership.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also invalidated the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections.

The court declared that the caretaker committee led by Mark, which took charge of the party and conducted its presidential primary election, was illegally constituted and lacked the legal authority to act on behalf of the ADC.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman of the ADC (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other party leaders assumed control of the party.

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Gombe argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally qualified to take over the leadership of the ADC in his capacity as the former deputy national chairman.

He asked the court to declare the emergence of the Mark-led leadership illegal and nullify all decisions taken by the committee on behalf of the party.

He also sought an order restraining Mark and the National Secretary of the party, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, from parading themselves as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.

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The plaintiff maintained that the emergence of the disputed leadership violated the constitution of the party and provisions of the Electoral Act.

The defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and the former National Chairman of the party, Ralph Nwosu.

In its ruling, the court upheld the arguments of the plaintiff and granted the reliefs he sought, thereby declaring the actions of the Mark-led leadership invalid.

The decision has serious implications for the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as it affects the party primary election that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate.

Atiku had earlier been listed by INEC as the presidential candidate of the ADC, while he had also selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate for the election.

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The ruling also comes barely 24 hours after Atiku held a major campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his efforts to mobilize support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Reacting to the judgment, the ADC said it would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

The National Welfare Secretary of the party, Nkemakolam Ukandu, confirmed that the party would approach the appellate court to contest the ruling.

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