The ADC leadership crisis has taken a new turn after the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the processes that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu delivered the judgment on Thursday, ruling that the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and other national officers violated the law.
The court also nullified the nominations of all candidates who emerged through the disputed leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Gombe challenged the emergence of David Mark and Aregbesola as leaders of the party. He argued that the processes through which they assumed their positions were unlawful.
Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s case and ruled that the disputed leadership structure lacked legal validity.
Consequently, the judge declared all actions taken by the David Mark-led leadership in the name of the ADC unlawful and set them aside. The decision affects the party’s leadership structure and its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
It also places the nominations made under the disputed leadership structure in question, including the process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.
However, further details of the judgment and its implications for the party’s participation in the 2027 elections are expected to emerge.
The ADC leadership crisis comes at a critical period as political parties begin preparations for the next general elections.
More details to follow.
