In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark. The court's decision, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, also nullifies all actions taken by the party under Mark’s leadership, including the selection of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 elections.

The judgment stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the former Deputy National Chairman (North-East) of the ADC. Gombe contested the legitimacy of Mark and his caretaker committee, arguing that he was entitled to assume leadership of the party following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu. The court upheld Gombe's claims, stating that the process through which Mark and his committee took control violated the ADC's constitution as well as provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Lifu's ruling specifically annulled the outcomes of the ADC's 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any decisions made during that meeting. This includes the invalidation of the appointments of Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and other national officers, effectively leaving the ADC without candidates for various elective positions in the forthcoming elections.

Counsel for Gombe, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), emphasized the implications of the court's ruling, stating, “The implication is that INEC, which has the duty to ensure that happens in line with Section 223 of the Constitution, has now been ordered not to recognise and not to act on all the decisions taken at the 99th NEC meeting of the party.” He noted that all actions taken by the ADC since July 27, 2025, are now annulled.

Another attorney for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), highlighted that the ruling leaves the ADC without representation in the upcoming elections, stating, “As it stands today, the ADC has no candidate from the presidential level to the House of Assembly, governorship, Senate and all other elective positions for the 2027 election.” He added that only those aligned with Gombe, the substantive chairman, would have any representation.

In response to the ruling, Nkemakolam Ukandu, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, indicated that the party plans to appeal the decision. This ruling comes just a day after Atiku Abubakar began his campaign with a rally in Sokoto State, following the earlier publication of his name by INEC as a presidential candidate. The court's decision marks a significant setback for the ADC and its leadership as the 2027 elections approach.