The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring its caretaker committee illegal and nullifying actions taken under its authority, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that the process through which the Mark-led committee assumed control of the opposition party was unlawful.
The court consequently invalidated decisions taken by the caretaker committee, including the presidential primary election that produced Atiku as the ADC’s flag bearer.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the legitimacy of the leadership arrangement that brought Mark and his associates into control of the ADC.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership.
He consequently asked the court to declare the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullify all actions undertaken on behalf of the party by the disputed leadership.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu found merit in Gombe’s case and declared the caretaker committee unlawful, effectively invalidating the decisions it had taken, including Atiku’s nomination.
The defendants in the suit included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The judgment represents a significant legal setback for the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following the party’s recent presidential campaign activities.
Atiku had recently participated in the ADC’s campaign flag-off in Sokoto, where the party reported a massive turnout of supporters.
The court’s decision now raises questions about the validity of the party’s leadership structure and its presidential nomination process.
The supplied account did not indicate whether the affected ADC officials or Atiku intend to appeal the judgment or seek a stay of execution.
Godfrey Eshiemoghie
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