A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s nomination as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The court also invalidated the leadership of the party’s National Working Committee led by former Senate President David Mark.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled on Thursday, November 5, 2026, that the process through which the Mark-led leadership emerged violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman, who challenged the leadership arrangement.
The ADC has rejected the ruling and said it would appeal.
Why Did the Court Nullify Atiku’s Candidacy?
The dispute centred on the legitimacy of the ADC leadership that conducted the party’s presidential primary.
Gombe challenged the process through which David Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
He argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership.
The plaintiff asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain its members from acting as national officers.
Justice Lifu upheld the challenge.
The court declared the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and nullified decisions taken under its leadership, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The ruling also affected the emergence of former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary and other national officers.
What Happens to Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Ambition?
The judgment creates a major legal setback for Atiku’s presidential campaign.
However, the ruling does not mean that Atiku has been permanently barred from contesting the 2027 election.
The immediate issue is the validity of his nomination under the ADC leadership that conducted the primary.
The party has announced plans to appeal the judgment.
The outcome of that appeal could determine whether the ADC leadership and the nomination process remain valid.
Until the legal dispute is resolved, Atiku’s position as the party’s presidential candidate faces uncertainty.
Does the Ruling Affect Other ADC Candidates?
Yes.
The court also nullified the nominations of candidates presented by the ADC under the disputed leadership.
The ruling therefore extends beyond the presidential election.
It affects the party’s candidates for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assemblies.
The plaintiff’s lawyers said the judgment left the ADC without valid candidates for elective positions under the affected leadership.
The party’s appeal will be important in determining whether those nominations can stand.
What Is INEC Expected to Do?
The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting of July 27, 2025.
This creates a significant challenge for the party’s electoral preparations.
INEC had earlier published Atiku’s name as the ADC presidential candidate.
However, the court’s decision now raises questions about the legal status of the party’s nomination and other candidates.
The commission’s next steps will depend on the judgment, any appeal and the applicable electoral procedures.
The court ruling does not automatically establish what INEC will do next.
Why the Judgment Matters Ahead of 2027
The ruling comes at a critical point in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, who served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007, was the runner-up in the 2023 presidential election.
His emergence as the ADC candidate had positioned him as a major opposition contender.
The legal dispute now threatens to disrupt the party’s campaign preparations and candidate structure.
It also highlights the importance of internal party procedures and leadership disputes in determining who can contest elections.
The development comes amid political realignments and growing competition among opposition parties ahead of the next presidential election.
What Happens Next?
The ADC says it will appeal the judgment.
The appeal could challenge the court’s findings on the party’s leadership and the validity of decisions taken under the Mark-led committee.
The next major development will be whether the appellate court overturns, upholds or modifies the judgment.
That outcome will help determine the legal status of Atiku’s nomination and the ADC’s other candidates.
For now, Atiku’s ADC presidential nomination has been nullified by the Federal High Court, but the party plans to challenge the decision.
The final outcome will depend on the appeal and subsequent legal proceedings.
