Court Nullifies Atiku's ADC Presidential Ticket, Sacks David Mark

By Ibrhim Kegbegbe

FCT, Abuja -November 5, 2026

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The judgment was delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, who declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and ruled that decisions taken by the committee on behalf of the party were invalid.

The ruling also affected the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, alongside other national officers and candidates nominated by the disputed leadership for the 2027 elections.

The case followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the leadership of the ADC.

He consequently approached the court to challenge the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership and sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.

In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the plaintiff listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.

Upholding Gombe’s claims, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court also directed that INEC should not recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

The judgment has thrown fresh uncertainty into Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition, particularly as the former Vice-President had already emerged as the ADC presidential flag bearer and selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.

Interestingly, the ruling came barely 24 hours after Atiku held a campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

However, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The Merit Newspaper reports that the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, said the party would appeal the decision.

The development is expected to generate further legal and political discussions over the ADC’s leadership, its presidential ticket and preparations for the 2027 general elections.