A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the processes that led to the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election. The court's decision was based on a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which also nullified the emergence of former Senate President David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others as National Officers of ADC.
According to the court, all candidates nominated for the 2027 general elections have their nominations cancelled due to emerging from an illegal and unlawful leadership of ADC. Justice Lifu upheld the case of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a Deputy National Chairman of ADC, that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola emerged leaders of the party in an unlawful manner. Gombe had argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party's leadership.
Gombe had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, asked the court to invalidate all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola, the National Secretary, and other members of their caretaker committee, from parading themselves as valid leaders of the party. The plaintiff maintained that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act. The suit listed the ADC, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mark, Aregbesola, and Nwosu as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe's claims and granted the reliefs sought. The court ruling has significant implications for the ADC and the 2027 general election, as it affects the party's leadership and candidate nominations. The decision also raises questions about the legitimacy of Atiku Abubakar's candidacy and the party's ability to participate in the upcoming election.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was joined in the suit as an interested party, said the party would appeal the ruling. The appeal is likely to be a crucial step in determining the party's leadership and candidate nominations. The ADC's decision to appeal the ruling indicates that the party is not willing to accept the court's decision without a fight.
The court's decision has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian political landscape, with many stakeholders eagerly awaiting the outcome of the appeal. The ADC's leadership and candidate nominations will likely be closely watched in the coming weeks and months. The party's ability to resolve its leadership crisis and field a candidate in the 2027 general election remains uncertain.
The implications of the court's decision extend beyond the ADC, with potential consequences for the 2027 general election as a whole. The ruling highlights the importance of adhering to party constitutions and electoral laws in the nomination of candidates. The court's decision also underscores the role of the judiciary in ensuring that political parties operate within the bounds of the law.
Key points
- The court nullified Atiku Abubakar's emergence as the ADC presidential candidate and sacked David Mark and others as party leaders.
- The court's decision was based on a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which held that the party's leadership emerged in an unlawful manner.
- The ADC has announced plans to appeal the ruling, which could have significant implications for the party's leadership and candidate nominations.
