The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership structure on Thursday, which was headed by former Senate President David Mark. The court also invalidated the party’s presidential ticket held by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Judge Peter Lifu said the “Mark-led Caretaker Committee, which conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer,” is illegal.
The presiding judge set aside the appointments of all national officers, including National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, and nullified the entire candidate list submitted by the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.
If sustained on appeal by higher courts, the ruling prevents the ADC—a major opposition force challenging the governing All Progressives Congress (APC)—from participating in the upcoming general elections.
Former ADC Deputy National Chairman for the Northeast, Nafiu Bala Gombe, initiated the legal challenge questioning the process through which Mr. Mark and his leadership team assumed control of the party.
In the suit, Mr. Gombe named the ADC, INEC, Messrs. Mark and Aregbesola, and former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
He argued that, following Mr. Nwosu’s resignation as national chairman, he held the constitutional right to assume interim leadership of the party.
Consequently, he petitioned the court to void all actions taken by the executive body under Mr. Mark’s leadership.
Furthermore, Mr. Gombe requested an order restraining Mr. Mark, former Osun State Governor Mr. Aregbesola, and other members of their caretaker committee from holding themselves out as valid party officials.
Backstory…
The ADC crisis began following the mass entry of prominent political figures into the party last year.
Among the high-profile defectors who joined the party were Mr. Mark, Mr. Aregbesola, Atiku, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
Defecting primarily from the PDP and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), these politicians adopted the ADC as a unified opposition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The party’s leadership conflict erupted after the resignation of Mr. Nwosu and the subsequent establishment of a new National Working Committee led by Mr. Mark on July 29, 2025.
This subsequently led to the derecognition of the party in April of 2026.
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