Court Nullifies Atiku Abubakar's ADC Presidential Nomination
A Federal High Court in Abuja invalidated the leadership of the African Democratic Congress and voided Atiku Abubakar's nomination as the party's 2027 presidential candidate.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ruling that the Caretaker Committee led by former Senate President David Mark was illegally constituted. The court found in favor of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman, who argued he was constitutionally entitled to lead the party following the resignation of former Chairman Ralph Nwosu.
As a result of the ruling, the court voided all party actions taken under the Mark-led committee, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The judgment also cancelled the nominations of all other ADC candidates for the upcoming general elections and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognize them.
Atiku Abubakar condemned the verdict as a judicial maneuver and a calculated attempt to weaken his support base in Northern Nigeria, particularly following a massive campaign rally in Sokoto. He characterized the ruling as a sign of panic from President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo mocked the decision, stating that the law is decided on facts rather than sentiments.
The ADC and Atiku Abubakar have vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal, citing a previous July 2026 judgment that had affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led committee. The ruling creates a significant hurdle for the opposition ahead of the January 16, 2027, election.
