Court Stops Atiku From Contesting 2027 Presidential Election, Sacks All ADC Candidates
A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the presidential candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 general elections and sacked the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.
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The judgment, delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, also invalidated the nomination of all candidates presented by the Mark-led ADC leadership to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.
The development followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC (North-East), who challenged the legitimacy of the process through which David Mark and other members assumed control of the party.
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Why the Court Nullified Atiku’s Candidacy
In his ruling, Justice Lifu declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, holding that the committee lacked the legal authority to conduct the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer.
The court consequently nullified the actions taken by the disputed leadership, including Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate.
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The judgment also affected former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, whose emergence as the party’s National Secretary was nullified, alongside other national officers.
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The court further directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
How the Legal Battle Started
The dispute originated from the leadership tussle that followed the resignation of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Nafiu Bala Gombe argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party following Nwosu’s resignation.
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He subsequently approached the Federal High Court, challenging the process that brought David Mark and his associates into the party’s leadership.
The ADC, INEC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025.
ADC to Challenge the Judgment
Reacting to the ruling, the ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, indicated that the party would challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.
The development therefore opens another chapter in the prolonged legal battle over the opposition party’s leadership and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The judgment comes barely a day after Atiku participated in an ADC campaign rally in Sokoto State as part of his political activities ahead of the presidential election.
What This Means for the 2027 Elections
If the judgment is upheld by the appellate courts, the ADC could face serious difficulties fielding candidates across the various elective positions in the 2027 elections.
For Atiku, the ruling means his presidential nomination under the Mark-led ADC leadership has been invalidated at the trial court level.
However, the judgment should not be interpreted as a final disqualification from the 2027 presidential race, as the ADC has indicated its intention to appeal.
The outcome of the appeal and any subsequent Supreme Court proceedings will determine the final legal position.
