Nigerian court invalidates Atiku Abubakar's presidential nomination in ADC

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling that declares the current leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) unlawful. Consequently, the court has invalidated the nomination of Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-President, as the party's presidential candidate. This legal development occurs with only a few months remaining until the presidential elections scheduled for 16 January. The decision effectively removes Abubakar from the ballot as the designated ADC candidate, although he remains on the electoral commission's final list of candidates alongside his running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Background

The dispute stems from the restructuring of the ADC in 2025, which saw several high-profile politicians join the party after leaving the once-dominant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to internal factional conflicts. Among the notable defectors were Atiku Abubakar, who served as Vice-President from 1999 to 2007, and former Senate President David Mark. Following the resignation of the ADC's former chairman in 2025, David Mark assumed the role of interim chairman to accommodate these political heavyweights.

However, Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC national deputy chairman, challenged this transition in court. Gombe argued that Mark and other leaders were not elected through a national convention, rendering their appointment unlawful. He contended that, by virtue of party rules, he should have automatically assumed leadership following the previous chairman's resignation. This is not the first time the Federal High Court has addressed ADC leadership issues. In July, Judge Musa Liman ruled in a separate case that Mark's appointment was in accordance with national laws and the party constitution. The current ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, who found the leadership structure invalid despite the earlier judgment.

Why it matters

The ruling has significant implications for the upcoming presidential election, where Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi are expected to be the primary challengers to President Bola Tinubu. The ADC is widely regarded as the most powerful opposition force against the current administration. Abubakar, aged 79, is making his seventh attempt to become President of Nigeria. The party's leadership has strongly rejected the court's decision, characterizing it as a calculated move to weaken the opposition and stifle political momentum. In a statement, the ADC described the ruling as a desperate attempt to cripple the party. Abubakar himself stated that the timing of the judgment, which came shortly after a large crowd gathered in Sokoto to welcome him at his campaign launch, indicated that his opponents were panicked by his candidacy. He emphasized that the turnout in Sokoto demonstrated a public desire for change and affordable living conditions.

What happens next

The African Democratic Congress has announced its intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. The party maintains that the decision is legally flawed and politically motivated. As the election date of 16 January approaches, the legal battle over the ADC's leadership and the validity of Abubakar's nomination will likely continue, with the outcome potentially determining whether Abubakar can proceed as the party's presidential candidate or if the party must seek alternative legal remedies to maintain its place on the ballot.