The political ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has encountered fresh uncertainty following a Federal High Court judgment that invalidated the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja, nullified the emergence of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President David Mark, further complicating the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The court also declared all decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership from July 29, 2025, null and void. This includes decisions relating to the nomination of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate for the forthcoming election.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by the ADC’s former Deputy National Chairman, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process that produced Mark and former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the disputed leadership did not comply with the democratic requirements stipulated under the Electoral Act 2022.
The court also rejected a resignation letter allegedly written by Gombe, ruling that the signature on the document differed significantly from those on his sworn court statements.
Although the judge declined to declare Gombe the substantive National Chairman, he directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the only elected member of the party’s NWC whose four-year tenure remained valid.
However, the ruling has created further complications for the ADC, particularly as Gombe’s tenure reportedly expired on October 11, 2026, about three weeks before the judgment was delivered.
The court consequently restrained INEC from recognising Mark, Aregbesola and other members of their NWC as national officers of the party.
ADC Rejects Judgment, Plans Appeal
Reacting to the ruling, the ADC rejected the court’s position on Gombe’s purported resignation, insisting that the party possessed the original letter bearing his signature.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the judgment as erroneous and disclosed that the party would challenge it at the Court of Appeal.
Abdullahi maintained that the resignation letter was genuine and accused the judge of disregarding evidence the party intended to present.
He said, “The High Court Judge erred in his ruling, because we have an original copy of the letter that was written and signed by Nafiu Bala in his own handwriting.”
He further argued that INEC had received the resignation letter and questioned the court’s decision to describe it as forged.
INEC Awaits Certified Judgment
Meanwhile, INEC has stated that it will not take any action on the ruling until it obtains and examines the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said its legal department would review the document before advising the commission on the appropriate steps to take.
Haruna explained that the commission had already commenced efforts to obtain the judgment but could not dictate the court’s administrative processes.
He said, “For now, until we receive that Certified True Copy, there is really nothing that we can do about it.”
ADC Members Protest Over Judgment
The ruling has also triggered protests among ADC members and supporters, who are demanding the immediate release of the certified judgment to enable the party pursue its appeal.
The Forum of ADC Candidates in Nigeria also petitioned the United Nations, United States Embassy, British High Commission, European Union and ECOWAS over the development.
The candidates expressed concern that delays in obtaining the court document could affect their ability to challenge the ruling before the 2027 elections.
The dispute has further heightened uncertainty within the opposition party, leaving its leadership structure and preparations for the forthcoming general elections subject to further legal battles.
