Court Annuls ADC Leadership, Nullifies Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Ticket

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark and voided actions taken by the party’s caretaker committee, including the process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

In the ruling delivered on Thursday, November 5, 2026, Justice Peter Lifu held that the caretaker committee led by David Mark did not validly assume leadership of the party. The court consequently set aside the decisions taken by that leadership.

The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC Deputy National Chairman for the North-East, challenging the legitimacy of David Mark’s leadership. Those affected by the ruling may still appeal to the Court of Appeal.