The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has initiated an immediate legal appeal following a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja that dissolved the leadership of former Senate President David Mark and invalidated former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination for the 2027 general elections.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment in a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025) filed by the former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe.
The court declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee unconstitutional, effectively nullifying all decisions, primaries, and candidate nominations executed under its tenure since July 2025.
The ruling also voided the appointment of former Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, along with other national officers.
The judgment has triggered sharp reactions across political and legal circles.
Responding to the verdict, ADC National Welfare Secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu confirmed that the party’s legal team filed a notice of appeal alongside an application for a stay of execution.
Ukandu urged party supporters to remain calm, maintaining that the caretaker committee operated within constitutional guidelines to stabilise the party following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu.
Legal counsel to the plaintiff, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN) and Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), highlighted the immediate legal weight of the decision.
They noted that the court explicitly restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or acting on decisions reached during the party’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Haruna emphasised that until an appellate court rules otherwise, the judgment leaves the Mark faction without validly nominated candidates across presidential, governorship, and legislative seats.
The judicial setback comes at a sensitive moment for Atiku Abubakar, breaking less than 24 hours after the former Vice-President officially kicked off his 2027 campaign activities with a major rally in Sokoto State.
Political analysts note that while the ruling introduces temporary turbulence into the opposition’s alliance strategy, the impending battle at the Court of Appeal will ultimately determine the legitimacy of the ADC’s leadership structure and its 2027 electoral flagbearers.
Read Also: Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal quits ADC, compares Atiku to bandit kingpin
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