Federal High Court nullifies ADC leadership and Atiku’s presidential candidacy amid political backlash

On 5 November 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a verdict that dissolved the interim leadership body of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which was led by former Senate President David Mark. Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the committee lacked legal standing and voided all its activities, most notably the presidential primary that selected former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s nominee for the 2027 general election.

This legal outcome stemmed from a lawsuit initiated by Nafiu Bala Gombe, who previously served as the National Deputy Chairman for the ADC’s North‑East region. Gombe maintained that following the departure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, party rules granted him the right to take over the leadership role. The court accepted his claim, upheld his reliefs and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise any decisions taken by the Mark‑led committee since July 2025, including the 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on 27 July 2025.

The judgment immediately sparked a wave of reactions. Speaking after finishing a campaign event in Sokoto State, former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was exploiting the court’s ruling to sabotage his presidential bid and diminish his backing in the northern region. He suggested the timing—just 24 hours after his rally—was intended to curtail the spread of his campaign beyond the region. The ADC’s strategic communications director, Phrank Shaibu, responded that the ruling would not derail the party’s campaign or diminish its national appeal, noting that the large turnout in Sokoto reflected public frustration with economic hardship and a desire for change.

Background

The ADC’s internal dispute dates back to the resignation of its former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, which created a leadership vacuum. David Mark, a former Senate President, subsequently led a caretaker committee that organised a presidential primary in July 2025, resulting in Atiku’s emergence as the party’s flag‑bearer for the 2027 elections. The process was contested by Gombe, who maintained that the party’s constitution and the 1999 Constitution, as well as the Electoral Act, required him to assume the chairmanship. The suit, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, named the ADC, INEC, Mark, former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, and Nwosu as defendants.

Justice Lifu’s judgment found that the Mark‑led caretaker committee’s formation breached the ADC constitution and relevant electoral laws, thereby invalidating all its actions. The court also nullified the appointment of Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and other national officers, as well as the party’s candidate nominations for the upcoming elections.

Why it matters

The ruling directly affects the political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. By nullifying Atiku’s candidacy, the judgment removes a major opposition figure from the ADC ticket, potentially reshaping alliances and voter calculations. Leaders from opposition groups, such as NDC presidential hopeful Peter Obi and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), criticized the verdict, calling on the judiciary to uphold democratic standards and ensure that opposition parties can function without obstruction. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also expressed criticism, framing the judgment as a move to weaken dissenting voices.

Conversely, the ruling government welcomed the decision. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, a senior member of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet, praised the judgment, describing justice as “slow but always sure.” He argued that the manner in which the ADC leadership was seized could not be legally sustained, implying that the court upheld the rule of law over partisan maneuvering.

The INEC’s role is also pivotal, as the court ordered the commission not to recognise the ADC’s 99th NEC decisions. This could affect the party’s ability to field candidates in the 2027 elections, influencing voter representation and the overall competitiveness of the electoral process.

What happens next

The ADC announced its intention to appeal the judgment to the Court of Appeal, signalling that the legal battle is far from concluded. The appeal will determine whether the party can reinstate its caretaker committee and restore Atiku’s candidacy. Meanwhile, the ruling government’s ministerial endorsement may bolster the court’s position, but opposition parties are likely to continue contesting the decision through political and legal channels. The outcome of the appeal will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for internal party disputes and the enforcement of electoral statutes in Nigeria.