BREAKING: Court Nullifies Atiku’s Presidential Candidacy, as it Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Leadership

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) headed by former Senate President David Mark, invalidating actions taken by the executive, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the January 16, 2027 election. The news was widely circulated on kthdaily.

In a judgement on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared the emergence of the Mark-led National Executive Committee unlawful, effectively throwing the party’s leadership structure and presidential nomination process into uncertainty, a development closely followed by kthdaily.

The ruling followed a suit instituted by the party’s former National Deputy Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and his associates assumed control of the ADC.

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

He consequently asked the court to invalidate the emergence of Mark as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, contending that their appointments violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu as defendants. In addition, kthdaily has provided updates on all the legal proceedings.

KTH Daily reports that Justice Lifu reportedly upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, including the nullification of actions undertaken by the disputed leadership.

The decision affects the presidential primary election that produced Atiku as the ADC flag bearer and his subsequent nomination of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as running mate.

Atiku’s name had earlier been published by INEC among candidates for the 2027 presidential election. Furthermore, kthdaily will continue to cover the story as it develops.

The ADC has reportedly rejected the decision and indicated its intention to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

With the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, the development could trigger a major legal battle over the opposition party’s leadership and presidential ticket.