Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political bid for the 2027 presidency has hit a severe legal roadblock after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The legal blow follows a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, which invalidated the National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Senate President Senator David Mark.

Because the court ruled that the Mark-led NWC's emergence did not satisfy the requirement for democratic elections under the Electoral Act 2022, all actions and decisions taken by the leadership have been declared null, void, and without effect—directly jeopardizing the primary process that produced Atiku as the party's presidential candidate.

Deepening Leadership Crisis and the Gombe Resignation Dispute

The legal turmoil stems from a suit filed by former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the emergence of the Mark-led leadership following leadership changes in July 2025.

While the court declined to automatically confer the position of substantive National Chairman on Gombe, Justice Lifu rejected a disputed resignation letter tendered by the party, ruling that it contained material differences in signature and could not be verified as Gombe's genuine act.

However, the court ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must recognize Gombe as an elected NWC member whose four-year tenure remains valid, while restraining the Mark-led faction from parading themselves as party officers.

Party Vows to Appeal as INEC Awaits CTC

Reacting to the development, the ADC rejected the court's findings regarding the resignation letter. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, insisted that Gombe voluntarily resigned and that the party holds his original handwritten and signed letter, confirming that the party will approach the Court of Appeal to overturn the judgment.

Meanwhile, INEC stated that it will not take immediate action until it officially receives and studies the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.

The ruling has also triggered widespread anxiety among party candidates, who have petitioned international diplomatic missions and staged protests over delays in obtaining the CTC, warning that the legal ambiguity threatens their participation in the 2027 general elections.

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