Nigerian court invalidates Atiku Abubakar's ADC presidential nomination

A federal high court in Abuja declared the nomination of Atiku Abubakar as the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) invalid on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The ruling was issued just two months before the country’s general elections, scheduled for January 16. The decision stems from ongoing legal disputes regarding the leadership of the ADC, one of the primary opposition parties seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu.

The court overturned the current leadership of the ADC headed by David Mark, who has been in conflict with Nafiu Bala Gombe over party control. Because Abubakar’s nomination was made while Mark was at the helm of the party, the court’s ruling against Mark’s leadership effectively invalidated the presidential nomination as well. The ADC has stated it will appeal the decision, describing the ruling as an attempt to undermine the democratic process.

Background

The ADC has faced significant legal challenges concerning its internal governance and eligibility to contest the 2027 vote. Earlier in 2026, the federal government supported a separate lawsuit questioning the party’s right to participate in the upcoming elections in Africa’s most populous nation. The current legal battle centers on a dispute between David Mark and Nafiu Bala Gombe for control of the party.

Tinubu’s spokesman, Daniel Bwala, stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is not involved in the specific lawsuit that led to the court’s decision. However, the ADC accused the APC of involvement in the legal proceedings. Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC spokesman, characterized the court’s decision as a desperate measure to deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders. Abubakar, who launched his campaign with a rally in Sokoto state the day before the ruling, stated that the timing of the judgment was not a coincidence. He did not address the ruling directly during a subsequent rally in Kebbi state.

Why it matters

The legal uncertainty surrounding the ADC’s candidate creates significant complications for voters and the electoral process. Sadiq Ibrahim Dasin, the ADC chairman in Abubakar’s home state of Adamawa, noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not raised any objections regarding the qualifications of the party’s candidates. Dasin urged the party to continue its campaign despite the court’s decision. INEC did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Observers have previously highlighted the impact of pre-election litigation on Nigeria’s democratic processes. During the 2023 polls, European Union election observers reported that excessive legal disputes exposed deep-seated conflicts within political parties. The observation mission’s report indicated that among at least 1,200 court cases, many were perceived as politicized or overly technical, with some overlapping with the voting period. The mission warned that such lawsuits risked undermining public trust in the democratic system.

What happens next

The ADC has announced its intention to appeal the court’s ruling. The outcome of this appeal will determine whether Abubakar can remain on the ballot for the January 16 election. Meanwhile, the party continues its campaign activities, with officials in Adamawa state advising members to proceed as planned. The legal status of the ADC’s leadership and its presidential nominee remains in flux as the election date approaches.