A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the African Democratic Congress’s (ADC) leadership under David Mark was unlawful and invalidated the party’s nomination of Atiku Abubakar for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election. The decision, issued on November 5 by Justice Peter Lifu, does not settle whether Abubakar will ultimately be excluded from the ballot.
The case was brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC national deputy chairman. He argued that Mark and other party figures had not been elected at a national convention and that he should have taken over after the previous chairman resigned. The Associated Press also reported that the court voided decisions made by the Mark-led leadership.
The ADC said it would challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. Abubakar, a former vice-president, said he would continue his campaign. The party’s statement described the decision as an attempt to weaken the opposition.
Appeal could shape the party’s election plans
Abubakar questioned why a new case had been brought after a Federal High Court judge ruled in July that Mark had been selected in accordance with Nigerian law and the party’s constitution. The two rulings leave the ADC facing uncertainty over who is entitled to lead it and make decisions on behalf of its candidates.
Abubakar’s name was still on the electoral commission’s final list of candidates, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi named as his running mate, according to the BBC. The election is scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The dispute may also affect other ADC candidates. Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate and a former ADC member, said the ruling raised concerns about certainty ahead of the election and called for opposition parties to be protected.
Nicole French