The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of its National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the ruling as a threat to the democratic rights of its members and candidates nationwide. The ADC said it would challenge the judgment through all available legal channels.
The party also questioned the timing of the decision, arguing that it came at a period of heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the ADC, the judgment could jeopardise the aspirations of thousands of its candidates contesting various elective positions across the country.
Abdullahi stated that the case goes beyond the interests of Atiku Abubakar and David Mark, insisting that it concerns the rights of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders and participate in the democratic process.
The ADC further argued that the ruling conflicts with an earlier Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman on 2 July 2026, which reportedly affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led NWC and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the leadership.
The party maintained that under established legal principles, a court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot overturn or nullify the subsisting judgment of another court of equal standing. It therefore rejected any consequential orders arising from what it described as a flawed decision.
While awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment to fully examine its details and implications, the ADC accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken the opposition through the courts. It urged the judiciary to remain independent and protect democratic values.
The party also called on its supporters nationwide to remain peaceful and law-abiding as it pursues legal remedies.
The controversy follows a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which nullified the leadership of the Mark-led ADC and invalidated decisions taken under that leadership, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
The suit was filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and members of the caretaker committee assumed leadership of the party.
Justice Lifu ruled that the emergence of the caretaker leadership violated the ADC constitution, provisions of the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution. The court also directed INEC not to recognise decisions taken at the party’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on 27 July 2025.
According to counsel to the plaintiff, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), the judgment invalidates all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership since July 2025. Another lawyer for the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the ruling effectively leaves the party without candidates for the 2027 presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections.
The ADC has, however, insisted that it will vigorously contest the judgment and defend what it describes as the democratic rights of its members and supporters.
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