Nigerian Court Voids Atiku’s ADC Candidacy and Removes Mark-Led Leadership

Nigeria’s Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5 invalidated the African Democratic Congress caretaker leadership headed by former Senate President David Mark. Justice Peter Lifu also nullified decisions made by that leadership, including the presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election. The judgment followed a challenge by Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s former deputy national chairman for the North-East. Gombe argued that former chairman Ralph Nwosu’s resignation entitled him to take over the leadership. The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise decisions arising from the party’s July 27, 2025, National Executive Committee meeting. The ruling also affected Rauf Aregbesola’s appointment as national secretary and the nomination of other ADC candidates. Lukman Fagbemi, a lawyer for Gombe, said: “All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled.” ADC national welfare secretary Nkemakolam Ukandu, who joined the case as an interested party, said the judgment would be appealed. The decision came a day after Atiku launched his presidential campaign in Sokoto on November 4. In its account of that launch, the ADC said he focused on living costs and proposals to support domestic refining.