Get Guardian on GoogleThe political fortunes of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election have suffered a major setback following a Federal High Court judgment invalidating the leadership structure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The ruling, delivered in Abuja on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, effectively nullified the authority of the David Mark-led caretaker leadership and decisions taken under its administration, including the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
The judgment followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC, who challenged the legitimacy of the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership rather than have a caretaker arrangement imposed.
The court upheld his position, declaring the Mark-led leadership illegal and invalidating the actions undertaken by the committee.
The implications of the judgment extend beyond the leadership dispute, placing the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general election under fresh legal uncertainty.
Among the decisions affected is the party’s presidential primary, which produced Atiku as its flag bearer, as well as other nominations made under the disputed leadership.
The development presents a significant challenge for Atiku, who had already commenced political activities ahead of the election and selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
It also raises questions about the status of the presidential ticket earlier published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), given that the process that produced the candidate has now been invalidated by the court.
The ruling comes at a critical period when opposition parties are intensifying efforts to consolidate their structures and position themselves for the 2027 presidential contest.
For the ADC, the immediate challenge will be addressing the leadership crisis and determining the legal and political steps required to protect its participation in the forthcoming election.
The party has indicated its intention to challenge the judgment at the appellate court, suggesting that the dispute may continue through the judicial process.
Until the legal questions are resolved, the judgment leaves Atiku’s presidential ambition under a fresh cloud of uncertainty and raises further questions about the ADC’s readiness for the 2027 electoral contest.
