The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring its emergence illegal and nullifying all actions taken by the committee, including the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its 2027 presidential candidate.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday while ruling on a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the party, who challenged the process through which Mark assumed leadership.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to take over the party’s leadership.
He also challenged the emergence of Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, describing the process as a violation of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Gombe asked the court to restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as party officials and invalidate decisions taken under their leadership.
The defendants included the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu.
The court upheld Gombe’s claims and granted his reliefs, invalidating the activities of the caretaker committee that organised the primary election which produced Atiku.
The judgment casts uncertainty over the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, particularly as INEC had earlier published Atiku’s name as the party’s candidate.
Atiku had also selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Reacting, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would appeal the judgment.
Comments
Add a comment