The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, represents a major setback for the opposition party ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The court ruled in favour of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and his allies assumed control of the party.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the party.
He consequently approached the court seeking to invalidate the Mark-led leadership and restrain former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Court Declares Mark-Led Caretaker Committee Illegal
In its judgment, the court upheld Gombe’s claims, declaring the caretaker committee led by Mark illegal. The committee had overseen the party’s transition and organised the primary election that produced Atiku as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The court also invalidated the actions taken by the committee on behalf of the ADC, effectively casting doubt on the legitimacy of the party’s recent political decisions and organisational activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and Ralph Nwosu as defendants.
The judgment directly affects Atiku’s presidential candidacy, as the primary election that produced him as the ADC flag bearer was organised under the leadership the court declared illegal. The ADC’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu has indicated that the party will challenge the ruling at the appellate court.
