Court Removes Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Voids Atiku Ticket

The Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, removed the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress and invalidated decisions made under it, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for 2027. Justice Peter Lifu ruled in a case brought by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman for the North-East, who challenged how Mark’s leadership assumed control of the party. The court held that the leadership’s emergence violated the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution, according to reports of the judgment. The ruling also nullified the emergence of Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary and other officers appointed under the Mark-led leadership. The judge directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise decisions from the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting on July 27, 2025. Reports said the decision covered the party’s nominations for the 2027 elections. Gombe argued that after former national chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership. He asked the court to prevent Mark and Aregbesola from presenting...