A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday sacked the Senator David Mark-led Caretaker Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), effectively invalidating all decisions and actions taken by the leadership since assuming office.
The landmark ruling delivered by Justice Peter Lifu directly impacts the 2027 general elections, as it nullifies the primary election that produced former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential flag bearer, along with his choice of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as running mate.
Delivering judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, Justice Lifu declared the formation of the Mark-led committee illegal and unconstitutional, holding that its emergence violated both the ADC Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit was instituted by the aggrieved former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe, following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Gombe had argued before the court that by the party’s hierarchy, he was the rightful official to assume the leadership of the party.
He subsequently urged the court to set aside all activities of the Mark-led executive, including the nomination of candidates for the forthcoming elections.
Joined as defendants in the suit were the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
Granting all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, Justice Lifu issued a perpetual injunction restraining Senator Mark and Ogbeni Aregbesola from parading themselves as the National Chairman and Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
The judgment poses a major legal hurdle for Atiku, whose name had already been published by INEC as the party’s official candidate for the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
In the meantime, reacting to the judgment, the National Welfare Secretary of the ADC and an interested party in the suit, Nkemakolam Ukandu, confirmed that the party leadership would immediately lodge an appeal against the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
