The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress led by former Senate President, David Mark, invalidating all decisions taken under the leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment delivered on Thursday, declared the Mark-led Caretaker Committee illegal, ruling that its emergence and activities violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.

The court also nullified the emergence of former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary, as well as the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates presented by the party for the 2027 elections.

The judgment followed a suit filed by former ADC Deputy National Chairman, North-East, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.

Gombe argued that following the resignation of former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the party’s leadership.

The plaintiff had asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party.

Upholding the suit, Justice Lifu also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.

Reacting to the judgment, Gombe’s counsel, Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, said all actions taken by the party since July 27, 2025, had been nullified.

Another counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna, SAN, said the ruling left the ADC without candidates for any elective position in the 2027 elections, including the presidency, governorship, Senate and House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who participated in the suit as an interested party, said the ADC would appeal the judgment.