The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is embroiled in a significant political and legal crisis following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja. The court nullified the leadership of former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions made under his leadership, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. This development has major implications for the opposition coalition that had adopted the ADC as its platform.
The crisis has its roots in a prolonged leadership struggle within the ADC, involving competing claims to the party's leadership and disagreements over its constitution. The trouble began after the 2023 general elections, when opposition politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola, explored ways to unite against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections. They settled on the ADC as their political platform.
On July 2, 2025, the coalition was formally unveiled at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja, with the ADC's founding National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, announcing that the existing national leadership had agreed to step aside. David Mark emerged as interim National Chairman, while Rauf Aregbesola became interim National Secretary. However, this leadership transition generated controversy within the party, with Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman, opposing the new leadership.
Bala argued that the resignation of Ralph Nwosu and other national executives should have allowed him to assume leadership in accordance with the party's constitution. He rejected the process through which David Mark emerged as National Chairman, insisting that the new leadership had not followed the party's constitutional provisions. The Mark-led faction maintained that the transition was legitimate and enjoyed the support of the outgoing leadership.
The disagreement escalated into a court battle, with Bala instituting a case at the Federal High Court in Abuja on September 2, 2025, challenging the legitimacy of David Mark's leadership. The suit was filed against the ADC, INEC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and others. Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment, declaring the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and invalidating decisions taken under his leadership.
The court's decision has significant implications for the ADC and the opposition coalition. The judgment not only nullifies David Mark's leadership but also affects the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. This development may force the coalition to reconsider its strategy and potentially seek an alternative platform or regroup.
The crisis within the ADC highlights the complexities of Nigeria's opposition politics and the challenges of forging alliances ahead of elections. The outcome of this crisis may have far-reaching consequences for the ADC, the opposition coalition, and the country's political landscape in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
Key points
- Federal High Court nullifies David Mark's leadership of ADC
- Court judgment invalidates Atiku Abubakar's emergence as ADC's presidential candidate
- Crisis within ADC exposes challenges of forging opposition alliances in Nigeria
