Court ruling throws Atiku’s 2027 Presidential ambition into uncertainty

By Onu Okorie

A Federal High Court in Abuja has plunged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into fresh political uncertainty after nullifying the leadership of its caretaker committee headed by former Senate President, David Mark, in a judgment that could disrupt the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, invalidated the emergence of the Mark-led leadership and all decisions taken by the caretaker committee, including the process that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the caretaker committee after the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Bala argued that following Nwosu’s resignation, he was constitutionally entitled to assume the leadership of the party, insisting that the decision to install Mark and other members of the caretaker committee violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
He consequently approached the court to challenge the legitimacy of the committee and sought an order invalidating its decisions.
The plaintiff also asked the court to restrain Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lifu upheld Bala’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought, effectively stripping the caretaker committee of the authority to make decisions on behalf of the party.
The implication of the ruling extends beyond the leadership dispute, as it also places a question mark over the political decisions taken by the committee, particularly the process through which Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate.
INEC had earlier published Atiku’s name as the party’s candidate for the January 16, 2027 presidential election. The former vice-president had also selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The development could therefore create fresh complications for the party’s presidential ticket and its broader electoral preparations, although the final political and legal consequences may depend on subsequent proceedings.
However, the ADC has indicated that it will not accept the ruling without a legal challenge.
Reacting to the judgment, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, said the party would appeal the decision at the appellate court.
The planned appeal sets the stage for another legal battle over the control of the ADC, with the outcome likely to shape the party’s leadership structure and its readiness for the 2027 presidential contest.