Court voids Mark-led ADC leadership and Atiku nomination

The Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5 voided the David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress and invalidated actions taken under it, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate. Justice Peter Lifu also cancelled nominations of ADC candidates for the 2027 general elections, according to reports of the judgment. The ruling followed a suit by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC deputy national chairman for the North-East, who challenged how Mark and other members assumed control of the party. The court upheld Gombe’s case and ruled that the caretaker leadership was unlawful. Gombe argued that after former national chairman Ralph Nwosu resigned, he was entitled to lead the party. He also said the appointment of Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary breached the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act. The court’s ruling invalidated the emergence of Aregbesola and other national officers under Mark’s leadership, as well as the party’s decisions under that leadership. The judgment affects Atiku’s nomination and other ADC candidacies for the coming elections. The...