The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress led by former Senate President David Mark and invalidated decisions taken by the leadership, including the party's presidential primary that produced former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The court ruled that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution. The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a factional National Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Bala Gombe commended the Federal High Court for its independent, impartial, and courageous handling of the party's leadership dispute. He praised the trial judge for determining the case based on constitutional and statutory provisions rather than political considerations, describing the dispute as politically sensitive and nationally significant.
The dispute raised important issues bordering on party autonomy, internal democracy, constitutional compliance, and the regulatory responsibilities of INEC. Bala Gombe argued that courts had a responsibility to intervene where political parties failed to comply with their established rules and procedures, adding that such intervention was necessary to protect democracy and uphold the rule of law.
The court also nullified the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party's National Secretary, as well as the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections. Justice Lifu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party's 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
Bala Gombe's suit listed the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mark, Aregbesola, and Nwosu as the first to fifth defendants, respectively. The substantive judgment followed earlier proceedings in which the interlocutory aspect of the dispute went up to the Supreme Court, which directed that the matter return to the trial court for determination of the substantive issues.
Bala Gombe said the judgment was significant beyond the immediate interests of the parties involved, noting that it demonstrated the judiciary's capacity to decide politically sensitive matters without external influence. According to him, the decision would restore public confidence in the judiciary and reinforce the principle that political leadership must emerge through lawful and constitutionally recognised processes.
Key points
- The court nullified Atiku Abubakar's candidacy and the ADC leadership due to constitutional and statutory violations.
- The judgment reinforced the principle that political parties must operate within the provisions of their constitutions and the Electoral Act.
- The decision demonstrated the judiciary's capacity to decide politically sensitive matters without external influence.
