The political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections has been thrown into fresh uncertainty following a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja nullifying the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under former Senate President David Mark and invalidating the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, also affected the emergence of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, alongside other national officers and candidates nominated under the disputed leadership.
The court ruled that the processes through which Mark and other members of the party’s leadership emerged were unlawful, consequently invalidating decisions taken by the leadership, including the presidential primary that produced Atiku as the ADC’s flag bearer for the 2027 elections.
The case was instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the legality of the process through which Mark and other party officials assumed leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu.
Gombe argued that the leadership transition violated the party’s constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the judgment, the ADC rejected the court’s decision, describing it as an attempt to weaken the opposition and undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party questioned the timing of the judgment, alleging that it came barely 24 hours after the successful launch of Atiku’s presidential campaign in Sokoto State.
The party maintained that an earlier Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman on July 2, 2026, had affirmed the legitimacy of the Mark-led leadership.
According to the ADC, the earlier ruling remains binding, arguing that a court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot overturn or invalidate the decision of another court of equal jurisdiction.
The party said its legal team was preparing to challenge the latest judgment through available judicial processes, adding that it was awaiting a Certified True Copy of the ruling to determine its precise terms and consequential orders.
It also urged its members and supporters nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding while the legal process continues.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the judgment, describing it as a politically motivated attempt to frustrate his presidential ambition and weaken the opposition.
Through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the timing of the ruling, alleging that it was intended to disrupt the momentum generated by his campaign launch in Sokoto.
Meanwhile, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed concern over the development, warning that uncertainty surrounding opposition parties could affect democratic competition.
Obi acknowledged the authority of the judiciary to determine legal disputes but stressed the importance of certainty in the electoral process as the country approaches another general election.
He maintained that political participation and the rights of voters must be protected.
The judgment represents a significant setback for the ADC, which has increasingly positioned itself as a major platform for opposition politicians seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Beyond Atiku’s presidential nomination, the ruling raises questions about the status of other ADC candidates seeking elective positions at federal, state and local government levels.
However, the judgment does not amount to the deregistration of the ADC. The party retains its legal existence, while the affected leadership and nominations remain subject to further judicial proceedings.
The APC, through its National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, denied involvement in the crisis, describing it as an internal leadership dispute that the ADC must resolve.
With the opposition party preparing to appeal, the coming legal proceedings could prove decisive for its leadership structure, presidential ticket and broader electoral ambitions.
The development has added another layer of uncertainty to Nigeria’s political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as opposition figures continue efforts to build a united challenge against the incumbent administration.
A Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led ADC leadership and Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination has thrown the opposition’s 2027 election plans into uncertainty as the party rejects the ruling and prepares an appeal.