Court ruling plunges ADC into crisis, threatening Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid

…We’ll appeal verdict ;APC wants to set Nigeria on fire – ADC

…It’s a threat to democracy – Analysts

A Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cast doubt on the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections, placing the presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar and the political futures of legislative candidates in jeopardy.

The ruling threatens to derail electoral preparations and leaves hundreds of candidates facing an uncertain political horizon unless the decision is overturned on appeal.

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), declaring illegal the caretaker committee through which Mark assumed control of the party.

The court also invalidated all decisions taken by the leadership since July 27, 2025. These include the emergence of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate, the appointment of Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary, and the nominations of other candidates for elective positions.

Lukman Fagbemi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to Nafiu Bala Gombe, who instituted the suit, stated that the court found the Mark-led leadership emerged in violation of the ADC constitution, the Electoral Act, and the 1999 Constitution.

“All the actions taken by the ADC as a party since July 27 to date stand annulled,” Fagbemi said.

Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, another counsel to the plaintiff, noted that the ruling effectively leaves the party without candidates for the presidency, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly elections.

Party and candidates vow to appeal judgment

Reacting to the development, the ADC vowed to challenge the judgment, warning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against actions that could plunge the country into political instability.

Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, stated that the ADC would pursue all available legal avenues to overturn the ruling. The party described the judgment as legally indefensible and insisted it would await the Certified True Copy to determine its precise terms before proceeding with an appeal.

“We warn the APC: do not play with fire you cannot control. The peace and stability of Nigeria are bigger than the ambition of any president or political party,” the opposition party said.

Similarly, Atiku vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, describing the ruling as an attempt to weaken the opposition and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, questioned why a suit was instituted against the Mark-led leadership despite an earlier judgment of the same court affirming its legitimacy.

Kola Ologbondiyan, Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, added that the party’s legal team was already taking steps to challenge the judgment and seek appropriate interim relief, including a stay of execution.

Analysts warn of threats to democracy

Political analysts have expressed concern over the judicial development, describing it as a potential recipe for anarchy and a threat to multiparty democracy.

Jackson Ojo, a political analyst, characterized the court’s decision as a threat to democracy that could trigger instability ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a telephone interview with BusinessDay, Ojo faulted the timing of the ruling, describing it as judicial overreach.

Chief Chekwas Okorie, a former presidential candidate, also described the judgment as a threat to democracy, urging the judiciary and the ruling party to exercise caution.

Bernard Ikko, a political scientist and former federal lawmaker, viewed the development as a setback for Nigeria’s multiparty democracy while noting that the judgment remains subject to appeal.