Delta ADC rejects Federal High Court ruling, maintains Atiku and Ogboru as 2027 candidates

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State has formally rejected the impact of a recent Federal High Court judgment that nullified the party’s national leadership. The state chapter insists that its presidential and governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections remain unchanged, with Atiku Abubakar continuing as the presidential candidate and Chief Great Ogboru retaining his position as the governorship candidate for Delta State.

Fred Akpevwe, the Publicity Secretary of the ADC in Delta State, stated that the legal development does not alter the party’s structure or its electoral plans. He argued that a previous Supreme Court judgment, which affirmed David Mark as the authentic national chairman, takes precedence over the lower court’s recent decision. According to Akpevwe, the party will abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling, which he described as substantive and superior to any conflicting order from a lower court.

Justice Peter Lifu, who heads the Federal High Court in Abuja, handed down the decision on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The court declared the emergence of David Mark and other members of the national leadership unlawful, thereby nullifying their positions and the decisions taken under their administration. This includes actions related to the party’s preparations for the upcoming 2027 elections. The case was filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC for the North-East region, who contested the validity of the procedures used by the current leadership to take power.

Background

The legal dispute centers on the validity of the ADC’s national leadership structure. Prior to the Federal High Court’s recent decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria had delivered a judgment affirming David Mark’s position as the national chairman. The Delta State chapter of the party argues that this higher court decision settles the matter of leadership authenticity.

Akpevwe characterized the recent lawsuit filed by Gombe as an instance of "forum shopping," alleging that the litigation was pursued not on merit but to justify financial expenditures allegedly made by the faction behind the legal action. He stated that the party believes the individuals driving the litigation are seeking to ensure that money paid for the process is expended, rather than seeking genuine legal redress. Akpevwe stressed that the party is unaffected by the legal proceedings and has advised members and supporters throughout Delta State to stay composed and proceed with their political activities, ignoring the lower court’s decision.

Why it matters

The dispute has significant implications for the ADC’s participation in the 2027 general elections. By nullifying the decisions of the Mark-led leadership, the Federal High Court has cast doubt on the validity of the party’s electoral preparations and candidate nominations. However, the Delta State chapter’s insistence that the Supreme Court ruling prevails creates a parallel legal narrative that may complicate the party’s unified front. The conflict highlights the internal fractures within the ADC, where different factions rely on different court judgments to legitimize their positions. For voters and political observers, this uncertainty raises questions about the administrative stability of the party as it approaches the next electoral cycle. The party’s ability to present a cohesive candidate list and campaign strategy may be tested by these ongoing legal battles.

What happens next

The sources do not specify immediate next steps, such as appeals or further court dates. However, the Delta State ADC has instructed its members to disregard the Federal High Court judgment and continue their activities. The outcome of the broader legal battle over the ADC’s national leadership will likely determine the validity of the party’s 2027 electoral decisions.