COURT SACKS DAVID MARK-LED ADC LEADERSHIP, NULLIFIES ATIKU’S 2027 TICKET
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark and invalidated the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, in his judgment, also nullified the emergence of former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and other national officers of the party.
The court further cancelled the nominations of all ADC candidates for the 2027 elections, ruling that they emerged through an unlawful leadership structure.
The judgment followed a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other party officials assumed leadership.
Gombe argued that their emergence violated the party’s constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
The court upheld his case and ruled that actions taken by the Mark-led leadership were invalid.
The ruling has affected the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, while the ADC has indicated plans to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.