A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, and nullified decisions taken by the party under the leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, November 5, 2026, ruling that the Mark-led caretaker committee lacked the legal authority to assume control of the party and conduct its affairs.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, alongside other national officers and candidates nominated by the party for the 2027 elections.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee emerged as the party’s leaders.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the leadership position.
In its ruling, the court upheld his claims and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise decisions reached at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
The ruling comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the judgment raising fresh questions about the ADC’s leadership structure and its participation in the forthcoming polls.
